Dave Gagnon was an outstanding goaltender for Colgate University from 1987 to 1990. In his final collegiate season, he led the Raiders on a surprising run to the 1990 NCAA Championship game and finished the year with an impressive 28-3-1 record and a 2.81 goals-against average. His stellar performance was recognized nationally when he was named the ECAC Player of the Year, a First-Team All-American, and was the only netminder named as a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award that year, an honor for the top player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.

After his college career, Gagnon signed as a free agent with the Detroit Red Wings in 1990, playing in two games in the NHL during the 1990–91 season. However, his professional success came in the minor leagues, particularly the ECHL. He spent nine seasons in the ECHL with the Hampton Roads Admirals, Toledo Storm, and Roanoke Express, where he is recognized as one of the league’s top goalies, ranking seventh all-time in career appearances and wins. Gagnon was a two-time ECHL champion, winning the Riley Cup in 1991 and 1994, and was named the Playoff Most Valuable Player in both championship seasons.