Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 5, 1994                   TAG: 9410050092
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RANDY KING STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

VETERAN ON BOARD EXPRESS GOALTENDER HAS WON PAIR OF ECHL TITLES

In a recruiting coup that figures to greatly enhance its 1994-95 East Coast Hockey League run, the Express announced the signing of veteran goaltender Dave Gagnon to an ECHL contract.

Gagnon, 26, is one of the most successful goalies to ever roam ECHL creases, leading both Hampton Roads (1990-91) and Toledo ('93-94) to Riley Cup titles. Gagnon's career ECHL playoff record is 22-3-0.

``Dave Gagnon, pure and simple, is a stud,'' Roanoke coach Frank Anzalone said. ``Not only has he led two teams to championships in the ECHL, but he was also on Fort Wayne's IHL championship team a couple years ago. He's a big-time, go-to guy who knows what it takes to win.''

Gagnon, a fifth-round draft choice of the NHL's Detroit Red Wings in 1986, became available last week when he was cut by the Minnesota Moose, the Express' IHL farm club. Express general manager Pierre Paiement said the opportunity to possibly be called back up by Minnesota enticed Gagnon to return once more to the ECHL.

``We were a little concerned that he may have felt like he had done it all in this league,'' Paiement said. ``But we told him if he plays well here he'd have a chance to go back to Minnesota, and I think that made things much more appealing for him.''

After a stellar college career at Colgate, where his three-year record was 51-16-5, including 28-3-1 in '89-90, Gagnon began the '90-91 season with the Red Wings. He appeared in only two games, going 0-1-1 with a 10.29 goals-against average.

The Windsor, Ontario, native finished the '90-91 season with Hampton Roads, where he went 10-1-0 in the playoffs and sparked the Admirals to the ECHL title.

After spending most of the next two seasons at Fort Wayne, Ind., of the IHL, Gagnon began last season with Toledo. He was called back up to Fort Wayne before being sent back to Toledo for the playoffs. The Storm rode Gagnon, who was 12-2-0 with a 2.70 GAA, to its second straight Riley Cup.

``I can't think of many better guys to get,'' Paiement said. ``We feel very fortunate to secure the services of such a great player.

``Last season, we never knew for sure what we were going to get in net. With Dave Gagnon in the fold, we know we're going to be throwing one of the best out there every night.''

Paiement said Gagnon - no relation to Express president-majority owner John Gagnon - will be among approximately 36 players expected to show for the club's preseason training camp, which opens Sunday at the Roanoke Civic Center.