Gagnon has defied the odds
Naysayers be damned. Sean Gagnon has confronted, withstood and overcome the odds that were stacked against him more than once.
The fact that Gagnon even made it to the Ontario Hockey League as a player let alone forged a pro career that included time in the National Hockey League is simply astounding.
For starters, the Sault Ste. Marie product was bypassed at the entire 1990 OHL priority selections draft, which went 24 — yes, 24 — rounds that year. A year later, at the 1991 OHL draft, Gagnon was picked — and as an 18-year old no less — in the 16th round by the Sudbury Wolves. Someone tipped off the Wolves about Gagnon who, during the 1990-1991 season, had 21 goals, 26 assists, 47 points and 218 penalty minutes in 46 games while playing defense at the house league level for the Soo Elks.
Somehow, the 18-year old Gagnon made the Wolves as a 16th round draft pick. He played most of the 1991-1992 season in the OHL with the Wolves, while also suiting up for the Sudbury Cubs of the Northern Ontario Jr. Hockey League. Gagnon then began the 1992-1993 season with the Wolves before being traded to the Ottawa 67’s and then shipped to his hometown Soo Greyhounds, where he became part of the ’93 Memorial Cup championship team. Gagnon then concluded his OHL career as an overage defenseman with the Greyhounds in 1993-1994. In all, Gagnon played in 183 games over three OHL seasons and had 14 goals, 36 assists, 50 points and 433 minutes in penalties.
Not to be denied making a living from the game, Gagnon would then embark on a long and winding pro career that began in the East Coast Hockey League with the Dayton Bombers in 1994-1995. Literally fighting his way to stay in the league, Gagnon racked up 408 minutes in penalties in 76 games while finding the time to score nine goals, 26 assists, 35 points.
Another season in Dayton was followed by time in the International Hockey League and the American Hockey League before realizing the dream of all hockey dreams by playing in the NHL for both the Arizona Coyotes and Ottawa Senators. The never-say-die Gagnon then ventured to Russia and Germany to continue a pro odyssey that finally ended in 2006. Not bad for a kid who was a 16th round pick to the OHL as an 18-year old and who eventually made it to the NHL as an un-drafted free agent.
Now, at age 49, Gagnon is getting ready for his first season as head coach of the Soo Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North Under 18 Hockey League. Gagnon has been entrusted with reconstructing the Jr. Greyhounds program ahead of the 2023-2024 season — and doing so with 12 rookie players, some of whom are moving up to the AAA level from the AA ranks of the Sault Major Hockey Association.
But don’t count out the Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North with Gagnon at the helm. He knows the game well, having played it at the highest level. And along the way he has played for some dandy coaches including Ted Nolan, the legendary Brian Kilrea, and the likes of John Tortorella, Jacques Martin and Bruce Cassidy. Cassidy is currently the head coach of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights, who are facing off against Paul Maurice and the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup finals.
Meantime, talk to Gagnon about his new job as head coach of the Jr. Greyhounds of the Great North U18 HL and you are talking to a caring man who has such passion for the game and a burning desire to help young players develop. And you are also talking to a man who is happy to be coaching again, a man who overcame the odds to make it as far as he did as a player and a man who has made it through some challenging times in his life.
“We’re good,” Gagnon told me. “I have made believers of people before and I will do it again.”
Spoken like a man on a mission. A good mission.
Very impressive and inspiring career. The Grey Hounds should do well under the direction of a man so determined as Coach Gagnon. I look forward to the upcoming season. One suggestion: I would recommend that Mr. Gagnon take a serious look at is a young 16 year Sault Michigan stand-out, Tryce Moran. Tryce just competed in a couple of statewide showcases where he was ranked in the top 25 forwards in the state competing against older players, i.e. 20-year-olds. Tryce sees the ice better than most, comes up with the puck in corner battles, and is a very skilled passer. You must see him in action to appreciate firsthand just how good he is.