Dave grew up in Maplewood and his journey through St. Louis hockey started in 1963 while at a public session at the Winter Garden Ice Rink on DeBaliviere. His father recognized Eddie Olson from his Flyers days and they started talking. Eddie asked the boys if they wanted to play hockey and that fall, they started playing for Eddie at the recently opened Clayton Rink in Shaw Park.

In 1967 Dave got his AHAUS official’s crest and lined games for Eddie Olson, Bill McKenna, Jim Wentworth and his father Dave Sr.

High school hockey did not exist in 1968, so Dave continued to play for various clubs including Pepsi, a short stint with the Blue Flames and for a men’s team sponsored by Giesler-Jorgen Sporting Goods. His freshman year of college Dave played for Washington University.

Mizzou did not have a team when he transferred there so he did not pick it up again until he graduated. He played in several area men’s leagues at Immerfrost and Brentwood, including many seasons with the Falkland Islanders.

In 1993, his son Mike expressed interest in playing and Dave became part of the Webster Groves Hockey Association. He became a Level 4 coach and coached at levels from learn-to-play through Bantam. He was elected to the WGHA Board of Directors and served four years as President. 

Outside of WGHA he coached Clayton High School for two seasons.

Dave joined the board of MAIHA-Youth Division and served as VicePresident and chairman of the Disciplinary Committee (if you ever played with Dave, you would realize what an irony that was, although, if Brendan Shanahan could do it for the NHL, why not?).

About that time, Dave started officiating again and rose to a Level 4 official who worked several regional tournaments and two national champions, the most memorable being Women’s Nationals in Green Bay, WI. He was an active member of MIHOA and was elected to that board of directors, serving as President for two years. He also served on the board of the Bill McKenna Memorial Scholarship Foundation for over 10 years.

Dave was elected to the Missouri Hockey Board of Directors and served as treasurer of that board for ten years.

Outside hockey, Dave operated his own business for 40 years. He has been active as a musician in the area since the late 1970’s. He has been a member of the Kirkwood Harley Owners Group for 25 years and served as Director of the chapter. As avid scuba divers, Dave and his wife Judy have travelled the world diving. Dave is a Master Scuba Instructor and part owner of a local dive shop, Great America Divers in St Charles. Dave and his very tolerant wife Judy have been together for 55 years and have two children, both hockey players.