Simon "Gags" Gagné

Birthdate: 29 February 1980
Birthplace: Ste-Foy, Quebec, Canada
Height: 6'0
Weight: 175 lbs
Sweater Number: 12
Position: Left wing, but is a natural center
Drafted: Drafted by Flyers in the 1st round (22nd overall), 1998
Marital Status: Single (Girlfriend: Karine).
Trivia: His best friend, Eric Chouinard, is a prospect in the Montreal system.

Career Notes

1997-98: Plays his first season for the Quebec Remparts (QMJHL). Led Quebec in playoff goals (11). Drafted by the Flyers in the first round of the 1998 Entry Draft.
1998-99: Named to QMJHL All-Star Second Team. Led Quebec (QMJHL) in points (120), assists (70), and plus/minus ratings (53). Tied for first on team in goals (50). Scored at least one point (16G, 24A) in 21 straight games during Quebec's 27-game undefeated streak. Played for Canada's silver medal team at 1999 World Junior Championships and led the tournament with seven goals, four of which came in one game to tie a Team Canada record set by Mario Lemieux in 1983.
1999-00: Named to NHL All-Rookie Team. Among NHL rookies, was tied for the first in power play goals (8), second in goals (20), second in power play assists (13), second in power play points (21), third in assists (28), and fourth in points (48, 14th all-time among Flyers rookies). During playoffs, led NHL rookies in points (10). Tied for NHL lead among rookies in goals (5). Named NHL Rookie of the Month for December as he led all NHL rookies in scoring with two goals and 10 assists for 12 points in 13 games. Registered his first NHL assist 10/14/99 vs. Montreal. Scored his first two NHL goals 10/12/99 at Washington. Appeared in his first NHL game 10/2/99 vs. Ottawa.
2000-01: Named as a reserve to the North American All-Star team, where he played with Mario Lemieux and scored 2 goals. His second goal on 2/17/01 versus Atlanta was his 100th career NHL point. Missed twelve games with a subluxation of his left shoulder. Shared Pelle Lindbergh Memorial Trophy with Dan McGillis as the team's most improved player. Led the team at plus/minus with a +24 rating. Set career highs for goals, assists, and points in a season.
2001-02: Named to Team Canada for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics on 12/15/01. Won a gold medal with Team Canada on 2/24/02. Scored his first NHL hat trick agains the NY Rangers on 3/2/02.

Profile

Simon Gagné is emerging as one of the best young talents in the NHL. Overshadowed in juniors, in the draft, and in his rookie year by players like Scott Gomez, Vincent LeCavalier, Patrick Marleau, and Joe Thornton, Gagné had a bit of a coming-out party at the All-Star game. There the elite of the NHL took note of his speed, his skill, and his scoring touch. Players like Brett Hull and Mario Lemieux went out of their way to proclaim his brilliant future in the game. His excellent showing at the All-Star game may have put his name on the lists of the men picking the 2002 Team Canada for the Salt Lake City Olympics.

Gagné suffered a finger injury the season before the draft, which may be the reason he was available when the Flyers' turn came up at #22 in 1998. His father, Pierre Gagné, had attended a Flyers training back way back when, where he became friends with Simon Nolet. Gagné Sr. eventually became a cop, while Simon Nolet went on to a productive NHL career. And after Nolet's NHL career ended, he became a scout for the Flyers organization--one of the very scouts that advised Bob Clarke to draft the young Gagné.

Other teams have tried to pry Gagné from the Flyers grip, but this is one young talent Bob Clarke isn't about to let go. He should be a star in orange and black for many, many years to come.

Quotes

Click here to read what other people have said about Simon Gagne.

Simon "Gags" Gagné

Career Notes

Profile

Quotes

Images

Links