American International hires alum Lang as hockey coach

American International College has hired alum Eric Lang as the school's new men's ice hockey head coach. Lang is the program's first new coach in 32 seasons.

Lang, who had been Brian Riley's assistant at Army since 2011, played at AIC from 1994 to 1998. He returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant from 2006 to 2008 before taking the head coaching position at Division III Manhatanville College.

As Army's top recruiter, he elevated the talent level coming in to West Point. The Knights advanced to the 2016 Atlantic Hockey Semifinals for the first time since 2008.

Lang replaces longtime bench boss Gary Wright who was forced to step down after 32 seasons at the helm of the program. Wright, a 1976 Vermont alum, went 313-512-79 in his time at AIC.