Rick Tabaracci is a former professional ice hockey goaltender who played for several teams during his career. He was born on January 2, 1969, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Tabaracci began his hockey career in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Kamloops Blazers in the 1986-87 season. He played for the Blazers for three seasons, winning two WHL championships and a Memorial Cup in 1990.
Tabaracci was drafted by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round of the 1987 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut with the Penguins in the 1988-89 season, playing in two games. He spent most of his time in the minor leagues, playing for the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the International Hockey League (IHL) and the Baltimore Skipjacks in the American Hockey League (AHL).
In the 1991-92 season, Tabaracci was traded to the Washington Capitals, where he played for four seasons. He had his best season in 1992-93, playing in 47 games and posting a 2.81 goals against average (GAA) and a .902 save percentage. He helped lead the Capitals to the playoffs in each of his four seasons with the team.
Tabaracci was traded to the Calgary Flames in the 1995-96 season, where he played for two seasons. He played in 34 games in his first season with the Flames, posting a 2.89 GAA and a .902 save percentage. He played in 22 games in his second season with the team, posting a 3.14 GAA and a .893 save percentage.
Tabaracci was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in the 1997-98 season, where he played for one season. He played in 22 games for the Thrashers, posting a 3.43 GAA and a .888 save percentage.
Tabaracci signed with the Colorado Avalanche in the 1998-99 season, where he played for two seasons. He played in 20 games in his first season with the Avalanche, posting a 2.87 GAA and a .902 save percentage. He played in 11 games in his second season with the team, posting a 2.77 GAA and a .902 save percentage.
Tabaracci retired from professional hockey after the 1999-2000 season. He played in a total of 246 NHL games, posting a 3.24 GAA and a .895 save percentage. He also played in 29 playoff games, posting a 3.11 GAA and a .898 save percentage.
After retiring from hockey, Tabaracci became a goaltending coach. He has worked with several NHL teams, including the Colorado Avalanche, the Washington Capitals, and the Calgary Flames. He has also worked with several junior and college teams, as well as with Hockey Canada.
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