Dave Gagner
Encyclopedia
David R. Gagner is a retired Canadian
professional ice hockey
player and current Director of Player Development for the Vancouver Canucks
of the National Hockey League
.
's Brantford Alexanders
. In 1982-83 he registered 55 goals and 121 points in 70 games, catching the attention of NHL scouts. The same season he was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team.
He was selected in the first round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft
(12th overall) by the New York Rangers
and bounced back and forth between New York and their American Hockey League
farm team, the New Haven Nighthawks
over the next several seasons. He remained with the Rangers' organization until 1987 but was never able to completely get over the hump and earn a full-time roster spot, largely due to his being considered too small for an NHL forward.
His career took off when he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars
in 1987. Though initially spending time with Minnesota's farm team in Kalamazoo
, Gagner broke out in 1989–90 with 40 goals and was in the NHL to stay. In his best season (1990–91), Gagner recorded 82 points in 73 games. He remained with the Stars when they moved to Dallas
, until he was traded to Toronto
on January 29, 1996. His stay in Toronto would last only 28 games before he was again traded, this time to Calgary
, where he would spend the entire 1996–97 season, scoring a very respectable 27 goals and 60 points in 82 games.
In the summer of 1997 Gagner was on the move again, signing a free agent contract with the Florida Panthers
. Gagner would spent a season and a half in Florida before being involved in a blockbuster trade on January 17, 1999. Gagner, along with Ed Jovanovski
, Mike Brown, Kevin Weekes
and Florida's 1st round choice (Nathan Smith) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft
were dealt to Vancouver
in exchange for superstar Pavel Bure
, Bret Hedican
, Brad Ference
and Vancouver's 3rd round choice (Robert Fried) 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
Gagner would finish the 1998–99 season with the Canucks before officially announcing his retirement on September 9, 1999, after 15 years in the NHL. He finished with 719 points in 946 NHL regular season games.
In August, 2006, it was announced that Gagner would serve as assistant coach of the London Knights
of the Ontario Hockey League
; his son, Sam
, also played for the team and currently plays for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers
. Dave spent the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons with the Knights, and also opened a training centre in London to work with young prospects.
In June, 2008, Gagner's former agent Mike Gillis
, who had recently been named General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks, hired Gagner as the team's Director of Player Development, a position he holds to this day. Gagner replaced Canucks' legend Stan Smyl
, who had been named the team's new Director of Collegiate Scouting.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
professional ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player and current Director of Player Development for the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
.
Playing career
Dave Gagner spent two full seasons with the OHLOntario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
's Brantford Alexanders
Brantford Alexanders
The Brantford Alexanders were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League from 1978 to 1984. The team was based in Brantford, Ontario.-History:...
. In 1982-83 he registered 55 goals and 121 points in 70 games, catching the attention of NHL scouts. The same season he was named to the OHL Second All-Star Team.
He was selected in the first round of the 1983 NHL Entry Draft
1983 NHL Entry Draft
The 1983 NHL Entry Draft was held at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, on June 8, 1983. The NHL Entry Draft is the primary means by which players arrive in the National Hockey League. The St. Louis Blues did not participate in this draft, shortly after the league blocked the franchise's...
(12th overall) by the New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
and bounced back and forth between New York and their American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
farm team, the New Haven Nighthawks
New Haven Nighthawks
The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings...
over the next several seasons. He remained with the Rangers' organization until 1987 but was never able to completely get over the hump and earn a full-time roster spot, largely due to his being considered too small for an NHL forward.
His career took off when he was traded to the Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
in 1987. Though initially spending time with Minnesota's farm team in Kalamazoo
Kalamazoo Wings
The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium....
, Gagner broke out in 1989–90 with 40 goals and was in the NHL to stay. In his best season (1990–91), Gagner recorded 82 points in 73 games. He remained with the Stars when they moved to Dallas
Dallas Stars
The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The...
, until he was traded to Toronto
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
on January 29, 1996. His stay in Toronto would last only 28 games before he was again traded, this time to Calgary
Calgary Flames
The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the...
, where he would spend the entire 1996–97 season, scoring a very respectable 27 goals and 60 points in 82 games.
In the summer of 1997 Gagner was on the move again, signing a free agent contract with the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
. Gagner would spent a season and a half in Florida before being involved in a blockbuster trade on January 17, 1999. Gagner, along with Ed Jovanovski
Ed Jovanovski
Edward Jovanovski is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman of Macedonian descent, an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League ....
, Mike Brown, Kevin Weekes
Kevin Weekes
Kevin Weekes is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who most recently played for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . He is now a color commentator on Hockey Night in Canada, and a studio analyst for NHL on the Fly.- Player :Weekes' career began with the Owen...
and Florida's 1st round choice (Nathan Smith) in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft
2000 NHL Entry Draft
The 2000 NHL Entry Draft was held from June 24 to 25 at the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, following the 2000 NHL Expansion Draft on June 23 for the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild...
were dealt to Vancouver
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
in exchange for superstar Pavel Bure
Pavel Bure
Pavel Vladimirovich Bure is a retired Russian professional ice hockey right winger. Nicknamed "The Russian Rocket" for his speed, Bure played for 12 seasons in the National Hockey League with the Vancouver Canucks, Florida Panthers and New York Rangers...
, Bret Hedican
Bret Hedican
Bret Michael Hedican is a retired American professional ice hockey player and a two-time US Olympian.-Playing career:Hedican was drafted 198th overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft. A product of St. Cloud State University, Hedican made his NHL debut in the 1991–92 season with...
, Brad Ference
Brad Ference
Brad Ference is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:Ference was drafted in the first round, 10th overall, of the 1997 NHL Entry Draft by the Vancouver Canucks...
and Vancouver's 3rd round choice (Robert Fried) 2000 NHL Entry Draft.
Gagner would finish the 1998–99 season with the Canucks before officially announcing his retirement on September 9, 1999, after 15 years in the NHL. He finished with 719 points in 946 NHL regular season games.
Post-playing career
In March, 2000, Gagner founded Custom Ice Rinks, Inc., a company that manufactures permanent and portable ice skating rinks.In August, 2006, it was announced that Gagner would serve as assistant coach of the London Knights
London Knights
The London Knights are a junior ice hockey team from London, Ontario, Canada, playing in the Ontario Hockey League, one of the leagues of the Canadian Hockey League.-Early days–1968:...
of the Ontario Hockey League
Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada....
; his son, Sam
Sam Gagner
Sam William Gagner is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre currently playing with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was drafted by the Oilers in the first round of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft....
, also played for the team and currently plays for the NHL's Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers are a professional ice hockey team based in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division in the Western Conference of the National Hockey League ....
. Dave spent the 2006–07 and 2007–08 seasons with the Knights, and also opened a training centre in London to work with young prospects.
In June, 2008, Gagner's former agent Mike Gillis
Mike Gillis
Michael David Gillis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player and current president and general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.-Playing career:...
, who had recently been named General Manager of the Vancouver Canucks, hired Gagner as the team's Director of Player Development, a position he holds to this day. Gagner replaced Canucks' legend Stan Smyl
Stan Smyl
Stanley Philip Smyl is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger. As a junior, he appeared in three consecutive Memorial Cups with the New Westminster Bruins, winning the championship twice in 1977 and 1978...
, who had been named the team's new Director of Collegiate Scouting.
Career statistics
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1981–82 | Brantford Alexanders Brantford Alexanders The Brantford Alexanders were a junior ice hockey team in the Ontario Major Junior Hockey League and Ontario Hockey League from 1978 to 1984. The team was based in Brantford, Ontario.-History:... |
OHL Ontario Hockey League The Ontario Hockey League is one of the three Major Junior ice hockey leagues which constitute the Canadian Hockey League. The league is for players aged 15-20.The OHL also operates under the Ontario Hockey Federation of Hockey Canada.... |
68 | 30 | 46 | 76 | 31 | 11 | 3 | 6 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 1982–83 | Brantford Alexanders | OHL | 70 | 55 | 66 | 121 | 57 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 4 | ||
| 1983–84 | Brantford Alexanders | OHL | 12 | 7 | 13 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 1983–84 | Canada Canada Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean... |
Nat-Tm | 50 | 19 | 18 | 37 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 | New York Rangers New York Rangers The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
38 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1984–85 1984–85 AHL season The 1984–85 AHL season was the 49th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Binghamton Whalers finished first overall in the regular season... |
New Haven Nighthawks New Haven Nighthawks The New Haven Nighthawks are a former ice hockey team that played in the American Hockey League from 1972 to 1992. They had affiliations with the Minnesota North Stars , New York Islanders , New York Rangers , and Los Angeles Kings... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
38 | 13 | 20 | 33 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 | New York Rangers | NHL | 32 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 19 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1985–86 1985–86 AHL season The 1985–86 AHL season was the 50th season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Hershey Bears finished first overall in the regular season... |
New Haven Nighthawks | AHL | 16 | 10 | 11 | 21 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | ||
| 1986–87 | New York Rangers | NHL | 10 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1986–87 1986–87 AHL season The 1986–87 AHL season was the 51st season of the American Hockey League. Thirteen teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The league institutes awarding one point in the standings, for an overtime loss... |
New Haven Nighthawks | AHL | 56 | 22 | 41 | 63 | 50 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 18 | ||
| 1987–88 | Minnesota North Stars Minnesota North Stars The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white... |
NHL | 51 | 8 | 11 | 19 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1987–88 | Kalamazoo Wings Kalamazoo Wings The Kalamazoo Wings, nicknamed the K-Wings, are a mid-level professional ice hockey team in Kalamazoo, Michigan. A member of the ECHL's Eastern Conference, North Division, they play in the 5,113-seat Wings Stadium.... |
IHL | 14 | 16 | 10 | 26 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 75 | 35 | 43 | 78 | 104 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1988–89 | Kalamazoo Wings | IHL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1989–90 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 79 | 40 | 38 | 78 | 54 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 16 | ||
| 1990–91 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 73 | 40 | 42 | 82 | 114 | 23 | 12 | 15 | 27 | 28 | ||
| 1991–92 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 78 | 31 | 40 | 71 | 107 | 7 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | ||
| 1992–93 | Minnesota North Stars | NHL | 84 | 33 | 43 | 76 | 143 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1993–94 | Dallas Stars Dallas Stars The Dallas Stars are a professional ice hockey team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The team was founded during the 1967 NHL expansion as the Minnesota North Stars, based in Bloomington, Minnesota. The... |
NHL | 76 | 32 | 29 | 61 | 83 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 2 | ||
| 1994–95 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 48 | 14 | 28 | 42 | 42 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | ||
| 1995–96 | Dallas Stars | NHL | 45 | 14 | 13 | 27 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1995–96 | Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto Maple Leafs The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL | 28 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 59 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 1996–97 | Calgary Flames Calgary Flames The Calgary Flames are a professional ice hockey team based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is the third major-professional ice hockey team to represent the city of Calgary, following the... |
NHL | 82 | 27 | 33 | 60 | 48 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1997–98 | Florida Panthers Florida Panthers The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the... |
NHL | 78 | 20 | 28 | 48 | 55 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 36 | 4 | 10 | 14 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Vancouver Canucks Vancouver Canucks The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,... |
NHL | 33 | 2 | 12 | 14 | 24 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| NHL totals | 946 | 318 | 401 | 719 | 1018 | 57 | 22 | 26 | 48 | 64 | ||||