Athlete Modern
Gagner, Dave
SPORT | Hockey
POSITION | Forward
YEAR OF INDUCTION | 2004
(1964 – )
Dave was born in Chatham and began his hockey development by playing 4 years in the Blenheim Minor Hockey Association and 7 years in the Chatham Minor Hockey Association. Through hard work and dedication, Dave went on to stardom in Junior “A”, with Canada’s National Team including the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, and in a 15 year career in the National Hockey League which included the 1991 NHL All-Star Game.
Career Highlights
1979 to 1983
1979 – 1980 – during last year of minor hockey in Chatham, as a major midget at age 15 played 6 games for Chatham Junior “B” Maroons
1980 – 1981 – played 41 games for Newmarket Flyers of Ontario Junior Hockey League, scoring 33 goals and assisting on 55 more
1981 – 1982 – moved to Ontario Hockey League Junior “A” Brantford Alexanders where he scored 30 goals and 46 assists in 68 games
1982 – 1983 – starred for Brantford Alexanders in OHL scoring 55 goals and 66 assists and made second all-star team – drafted by New York Rangers in first round, 12th overall
1983 to 1987
1983 – 1984 – played 50 games with Canadian National Team – played in World Junior Championship and Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo
1984 through 87 – began pro career and for 3 seasons split time between Rangers and New Haven of American League
1987 – traded to Minnesota North Stars where his career began to blossom as he scored over 30 goals in each of 5 full seasons with team
1990 to 1995
1990 – 1991 – had best career year – played in 73 games, scoring 40 goals and 42 assist – team went to Stanley Cup Finals but lost to Pittsburgh Penguins – scored 12 goals and 15 assists in 23 playoff games – also played in NHL All-star Game
1993 – 1996 – moved with team to Dallas and stayed with them for 3 years
1996 – 1999 – played for Toronto, Calgary, Florida, and Vancouver before retiring at end of 1998-99 season
NHL Career Statistics
Including playoffs: games 1003, goals 340, assist 427, points 767