ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Saturday, September 7, 1996 TAG: 9609090121
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RALPH BERRIER JR. STAFF WRITER
GOALTENDER DAVE GAGNON is pleased to be playing hockey in Roanoke again.
Dave Gagnon is settling down in the same place where he had one of the most unsettling seasons of his career.
Gagnon was introduced Friday as the new goaltender for the Roanoke Express, for whom he played two seasons ago. That is, when he wasn't being called up or sent down by the Minnesota Moose of the International Hockey League.
The Moose promoted Gagnon four times that season. The last time, Gagnon told the Moose either to keep him for the season or leave him in Roanoke. The Moose kept him.
Gagnon spent all of 1995-96 with Minnesota, but when the franchise relocated to Winnipeg following the season, Gagnon decided he wanted to play elsewhere. Express coach Frank Anzalone began recruiting Gagnon back to Roanoke, where he says he will spend the entire season.
The constant promotions and moves that marked 1994-95 are ``definitely not going to happen this year,'' Gagnon said. ``It's a solid deal. I'm going to stay here the whole year because that's fair to the organization and to my family.''
Family concerns played a role in his decision to return to Roanoke. Gagnon and his wife, Stephanie, have three daughters - Julia, 6, Katelynn, 4 and Paige, who will celebrate her first birthday next Wednesday. Julia is beginning her first year of school.
``I didn't feel like pulling the oldest out of school for an opportunity that might or might not happen down the road,'' he said. ``I'd like to stay here a couple of years if I could.''
The Express would like that. Gagnon, 28, was 17-7-5 for the Express two seasons ago with a .917 save percentage. He was a starting goalie in the East Coast Hockey League All-Star Game that year and is a two-time playoff Most Valuable Player.
Anzalone also wanted to acquire Gagnon because of his leadership qualities.
``I think Dave has presence,'' said Anzalone. ``Players get tired of listening to the head coach all the time. A guy like Dave and/or an assistant coach or another guy with presence like Dave can really help a lot.''
Anzalone said Gagnon would not have an official player/assistant designation, but his leadership will be counted on.
``I guess a lot of players in the IHL don't want to come to the East Coast [League],'' Gagnon said. ``But I want my family to grow up in a great community and I want to play for a great coach.''
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