Born in the charming town of Cumberland, Wisconsin, Dave's early life was shaped by his upbringing on the West Side of St. Paul, Minnesota. His high school days were marked by his exceptional athletic prowess, as he excelled in three sports: football, baseball, and hockey at Humboldt High School. His remarkable achievements have earned him a prestigious recognition as one of the St. Paul High School Athletic Conference's all-time best 100 athletes.
Following his high school career, Dave went on to play junior A hockey for the St. Paul Vulcans and, briefly, at the University of Minnesota under the guidance of the renowned coach Herb Brooks, who led the 1980 Olympic Gold Medal-winning USA Hockey team. His professional hockey career spanned an impressive decade, during which he played for notable teams such as the NHL's Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota North Stars, as well as the WHA's New England Whalers, Minnesota Fighting Saints, and Birmingham Bulls.
In his current role, Dave resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he serves as the manager of the Island Sports Center and coaches AAA travel hockey teams for the Pittsburgh Hornets. Notably, he made his acting debut in the movie, playing the role of Jack Hanson, which was originally intended for his real-life brother Jack Carlson, who was unable to appear due to scheduling conflicts.
