Brendan Gallagher
Gallagher with the Montreal Canadiens in 2015
Born (1992-05-06) May 6, 1992
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Height 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight 183 lb (83 kg; 13 st 1 lb)
Position Right wing
Shoots Right
NHL team Montreal Canadiens
National team  Canada
NHL Draft 147th overall, 2010
Montreal Canadiens
Playing career 2012–present

Brendan Gallagher (born May 6, 1992) is a Canadian professional ice hockey winger and alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Canadiens in the fifth round, 147th overall, of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft.

During his four-year junior career, Gallagher received Western Hockey League (WHL) West First All-Star Team honors (2010–11) and became the Vancouver Giants' all-time leading goal- and point-scorer. Internationally, he won a bronze medal with Canada at the 2012 IIHF U20 Championships, alongside a gold medal with Canada at the 2016 IIHF World Championships.

As of the 2022–23 season, Gallagher is ranked 24th in goals (202), 29th in games played (675), 38th in points (395) and 46th in assists (193) in franchise history.

Playing career

Junior

Gallagher with the Vancouver Giants in April 2009

Playing in the South Delta Minor Hockey Association, Gallagher was selected in the ninth round of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft by the Vancouver Giants.[1] He joined the Giants for his WHL rookie season in 2008–09. Gallagher scored his first WHL goal against goaltender Kevin Armstrong on September 27, 2008, in a 7–3 win over the Prince George Cougars.[2] After finishing the regular season with 10 goals and 31 points over 52 games, he added three points (one goal, two assists) in 16 post-season contests, as the Giants were eliminated in the semifinals by the Kelowna Rockets. The following season, Gallagher improved to 81 points over 72 games, ranking second among Giants players, behind Craig Cunningham, while his 41 goals were a team high.[3] Gallagher's efforts continued in the post-season, helping the Giants to the semifinals for his second consecutive year with the club. He registered 21 points (11 goals and 10 assists) in 16 games, second in team-scoring and fifth in the league,[4] as Vancouver was eliminated by the Tri-City Americans.

During the 2010 playoffs, Gallagher was selected as the Male Youth Athlete of the Year in his hometown of Delta, British Columbia.[1] In anticipation of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, he was ranked 152nd among North American skaters eligible to be selected by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.[1] Gallagher was selected 147th overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Returning to junior following his first training camp with the Canadiens, he recorded WHL career highs in 2010–11. On February 28, 2011, he was named WHL Player of the Week after recording ten points (five goals and five assists) in three games.[5] In March 2011, Gallagher was sidelined with a head injury, sustained after receiving a hit in a game against the Portland Winterhawks.[6] Ranking first on the Giants and eighth among all WHL scorers with 91 points over 66 games,[7] he was named to the WHL West First All-Star Team.[8] His 44 goals were just four shy of Evander Kane's single-season team record.

Appearing in his second training camp with the Canadiens, Gallagher competed for a roster spot, remaining with the team until the final days leading up to the 2011–12 season. After being returned to junior, the Canadiens signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract on November 16, 2011.[9] The following month, Gallagher temporarily left the Giants for the Canadian national junior team. In his first game back, on January 7, 2012, he recorded a seven-point night, which included a hat-trick, in an 8–4 win against the Portland Winterhawks.[10] Three days later, he assumed the team captaincy after previous captain James Henry was traded away to the Moose Jaw Warriors.[11] In the same week, during a game against the Tri-City Americans, Gallagher sustained an upper-body injury after colliding into the boards while pursuing a loose puck. Earlier in the shift, he had also received an open-ice hit.[12] Gallagher returned to the line-up by late January[13] and, the following month, he broke the Giants' records for most goals and points all-time, both set by Adam Courchaine seven years prior. With a hat-trick against the Tri-City Americans on February 14, Gallagher surpassed Courchaine's mark of 126 goals.[14] Eleven days later, he recorded two goals in a 5–3 win against the Kamloops Blazers for his record-setting 274th point as a Giant.[15] Near the end of the season, he was voted by WHL players, executives and broadcasters as the most valuable player to his team in the Tri-City Herald's annual survey.[16]

During his junior career, Gallagher has earned a reputation as a fast-skating scorer who plays with energy and aggression, making him adept at playing in offensive and defensive situations.[1][17]

Professional

In his first professional season, Gallagher was directly assigned to the Canadiens' American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, due to the 2012–13 NHL lockout. Upon a resolution, Gallagher was recalled to the Canadiens' training camp for the shortened 2012–13 season. He scored his first NHL goal on January 27, 2013, against Martin Brodeur in a 4–3 win over the New Jersey Devils.[18] After the trade of Michael Ryder back to the Canadiens, Gallagher switched from jersey number 73 to 11 to accommodate the veteran Ryder, who has worn 73 throughout his NHL career. It was later revealed in 2019, that Ryder offered Gallagher a Rolex in return of the number 73, Ryder never filled his promise. Gallagher ended the season with a total of 15 goals and 13 assists in 44 games and established himself as a key member of Montreal's offence, often playing on the Canadiens' first line.[19] On May 6, 2013, Gallagher was also nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL's Rookie of the Year, and placed second in voting.[20]

On November 29, 2014, the Canadiens came to terms with Gallagher on a six-year contract extension.[21]

Gallagher with the Bulldogs in November 2012. He was assigned to the team during the 2012–13 NHL lockout.

On September 18, 2015 it was announced that Gallagher would become one of the alternate captains of the Montreal Canadiens along with P. K. Subban, Tomáš Plekanec, and Andrei Markov.[22] During the 2015–16 season, Gallagher broke two fingers after blocking a shot from Johnny Boychuk and would require surgery to fix them.[23] He returned to the Canadiens lineup for the 2016 NHL Winter Classic.[24]

During the 2016–17 season, Gallagher broke his hand, requiring surgery, and was labelled to be out for eight weeks.[25]

The following season was a career year for Gallagher, despite the Canadiens not qualifying for the postseason. Gallagher was placed on a shutdown line along with Plekanec and led the team in even-strength points.[26] Gallagher ended the regular season with a career-high 54 points. At the conclusion of the season, Gallagher was nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as a player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and gives back to the community.[27]

For the 2018–19 season, Gallagher was once again named an alternate captain for the Canadiens along with Paul Byron.[28] On February 21, 2019, Gallagher recorded his first career hat trick in a 5–1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.[29] October 30, 2019 he played in his 500th career game in the NHL and scored a goal that night to beat the Coyotes in Phoenix, Arizona. Brendan was awarded the Molson Cup by the Montreal Canadiens for the month of October 2019.

On October 14, 2020, Gallagher signed a six-year, $39 million contract extension with the Canadiens.[30]

On May 31, 2021, Gallagher scored the critical first goal of Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs after the Leafs' Mitch Marner accidentally passed the puck to him. The Canadiens ultimately won the game 3-1 to complete their comeback from a 3-1 series deficit in the first round of the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs. On June 1, Gallagher netted the game winner in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets, whom the Canadiens swept in the second round. On June 24, Gallagher had an assist on Artturi Lehkonen's semifinal series winner in Game 6 overtime against the Vegas Golden Knights, sending the Canadiens to their first Stanley Cup Finals in 28 years. The Canadiens lost the Final in five games to the defending champions Tampa Bay Lightning.[31]

Following the Canadiens' appearance in the Stanley Cup Finals, the 2021–22 season was a struggle for both the team and for Gallagher individually. Due to both injuries and a severe bout of COVID-19 he missed twenty-six games, and, after four consecutive years as one of the league's most dominant forwards during five-on-five play, would not score a goal at even strength until an April 5, 2022 game against the Ottawa Senators. The Canadiens' new coach, Martin St-Louis, expressed a desire to "rewire" Gallagher's approach to playing the game to "use up less physical energy by playing a bit more of a mental game."[32] Finishing with 7 goals and 17 assists, the worst season of his career to date, Gallagher would later say that the main consolation was a four-month offseason that would enable him to recover his health and strength while working with his father Ian. There was some discussion of Gallagher being named the team's new captain following the departure of Shea Weber, but this was instead given to Nick Suzuki.[33]

Injury caused Gallagher to miss significant time during the 2022–23 season as well. He broke his ankle blocking a shot in the team's twelfth game of the season, attempted to play through this injury for a month, and then broke it again in January of 2023. He did not return to the team until the end of March.[34] On March 27, 2023, he scored his 200th career goal in a game against the Buffalo Sabres, tying it late in the third period. The Canadiens would eventually win the game in the penalty shootout.[35] Discussing his injury history at the end of the season, he said he would have to change his approach to his health, admitting "it's really hard to change your identity as a player and everything that I've always believed in. But, certainly, in the end I ended up missing more time due to it. That’s something I'll have to think about and going forward probably be a little bit more honest with myself about."[34][36]

International play

Medal record
Representing Canada Canada
Ice hockey
World Junior Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2012 Canada
IIHF World Championship
Gold medal – first place 2016 Russia

In his third WHL season, Gallagher was invited to the Canadian junior team's World Junior selection camp in December 2010. Failing to make the roster, he was among the initial cuts.[37] The following year, Gallagher made the team for the 2012 World Junior Championships, held in Alberta. In the last contest of the preliminary round, Gallagher was named Canada's player of the game after recording a game-high seven shots on goal in a 3–2 win against the United States.[38] In the semifinal, Gallagher recorded a goal and two assists on Canada's last three goals, helping them get within one goal of erasing a 6–1 deficit against Russia.[39] Canada went on to win their bronze medal game against Finland 4–0.[40] Gallagher finished the tournament with six points (three goals and three assists), tying for fifth in team scoring, while leading Canada with 35 shots on goal.[41] Gallagher was also a part of Team Canada in the 2016 IIHF World Championship. During the tournament, he scored 2 goals and 3 assists for a total of 5 points in ten games as Canada won gold.

Personal life

Gallagher was born in Edmonton, Alberta, but grew up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, after moving there with his family at the age of 12.[42] As a youth, he played in the 2005 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Burnaby.[43]

His father Ian, is a strength and conditioning coach for the Vancouver Giants. Prior to joining the Giants himself as a player, Gallagher was familiarized with the team through Ian's work.[17] He has identified Adam Courchaine, Mitch Bartley and Gilbert Brule as his favourite Giants players growing up. The first of these was the all-time record holder for points by a Giants player, a mark that Gallagher surpassed in the 2011–12 season.[44]

In January 2014, McDonald's introduced the "Gallagher burger" in its Quebec restaurants.[45][46] Gallagher again created a signature burger for McDonalds before the 2016 NHL season, along with teammate Alex Galchenyuk (who created one of his own).[47]

Gallagher is a supporter of Tottenham Hotspur F.C. and the Cincinnati Bengals[48]

On July 7, 2023, Gallagher proposed to his fiancée, Emma Fortin, in Whistler, British Columbia.[49]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2007–08Greater Vancouver CanadiansBCMML392333566620110
2008–09Vancouver GiantsWHL52102131611612310
2009–10Vancouver GiantsWHL724140811111611102114
2010–11Vancouver GiantsWHL66444791108420216
2011–12Vancouver GiantsWHL54413677796551016
2012–13Hamilton BulldogsAHL3610102061—————
2012–13Montreal CanadiensNHL441513283352025
2013–14Montreal CanadiensNHL81192241731747116
2014–15Montreal CanadiensNHL8224234731123250
2015–16Montreal CanadiensNHL5319214024—————
2016–17Montreal CanadiensNHL641019293961238
2017–18Montreal CanadiensNHL8231235434—————
2018–19Montreal CanadiensNHL8233195249—————
2019–20Montreal CanadiensNHL592221432991342
2020–21Montreal CanadiensNHL351492316222464
2020–21Laval RocketAHL10004—————
2021–22Montreal CanadiensNHL567172469—————
2022–23Montreal CanadiensNHL37861445—————
NHL totals6752021933954427113183125

International

Year Team Event Result   GP G A Pts PIM
2009 Canada Pacific U17 2nd place, silver medalist(s) 6 2 3 5 12
2012 Canada WJC 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) 6 3 3 6 12
2016 Canada WC 1st place, gold medalist(s) 10 2 3 5 12
Junior totals 12 5 6 11 24
Senior totals 10 2 3 5 12

Awards

Award Year
Delta Youth Athlete of the Year2010[1]
WHL West First All-Star Team2011
WHL Player of the WeekFebruary 8, 2011
WHL West First All-Star Team2012
THN Teemu Selanne Award (Best Rookie)2013
NHL All-Rookie Team2013
Molson CupOctober 2019

Records

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Brendan Gallagher (Ice Hockey)". Delta Sports Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Giants Smack Cougars 7-3". OurSports Central. September 27, 2008. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  3. ↑ "2009-2010 Vancouver Giants - Top Scorers". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on May 23, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  4. ↑ "2010 WHL Playoffs - All Players". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on April 30, 2012. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Giants' red-hot Brendan Gallagher named WHL player of the week". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network. February 28, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Giants' leading scorer Brendan Gallagher day-to-day with head injury". The Republic. Columbus, Indiana: Home News Enterprises. Associated Press. March 7, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  7. ↑ "2010-2011 Regular Season - All Players". Western Hockey League. Archived from the original on December 16, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  8. ↑ "WHL West All-Stars and Award Finalists". Western Hockey League. March 23, 2011. Archived from the original on March 25, 2011. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Gallagher signs 3-year deal with Canadiens". The Vancouver Sun. November 16, 2011. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  10. ↑ Pap, Elliott (January 8, 2012). "WHL: Giants; Gallagher nets hat trick, seven points, in return from Team Canada". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia News. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  11. ↑ Tucker, Cam (January 11, 2012). "Giants trade captain to Warriors". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia News. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  12. ↑ "Vancouver Giants thumped 11-4 by Tri-City, lose Gallagher to injury". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia News. January 14, 2012. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  13. ↑ "Look who's back? Brendan Gallagher, David Musil set to rejoin Giants in Red Deer tonight". The Province. Vancouver. January 25, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  14. 1 2 "Giants enjoy record-breaking night". The Vancouver Sun. February 15, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  15. 1 2 "Gallagher sets record in Giants' victory". The Vancouver Sun. Sun News Services. February 27, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
  16. ↑ "Brendan Gallagher gets Best of West MVP nod but he pegs Adam Morrison as Giants' key contributor". The Province. Vancouver. February 13, 2012. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
  17. 1 2 Devji, Farhan (December 26, 2011). "Gallagher one tough competitor". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  18. ↑ "Markov's OT tally lifts Habs past Devils". National Hockey League. January 27, 2013. Retrieved January 27, 2013.
  19. ↑ Gordon, Sean (April 5, 2013). "Canadiens' Gallagher thrives in a land of NHL giants". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Brendan Gallagher, Jonathan Huberdeau, Brandon Saad named Calder finalists". NHL.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  21. ↑ "Canadiens sign forward Brendan Gallagher to a six-year contract extension". nhl.com. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  22. ↑ Lau, Rachel (September 18, 2015). "Max Pacioretty named 29th captain of Canadiens". Global News. Retrieved September 18, 2015.
  23. ↑ Clinton, Jared (November 22, 2015). "UPDATED: BRENDAN GALLAGHER BREAKS TWO FINGERS AFTER BLOCKING BLAST FROM JOHNNY BOYCHUK". thehockeynews.ca. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  24. ↑ Katz, Gregory (January 5, 2016). "Brendan Gallagher's Return – a Relief to the Canadiens". thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Brendan Gallagher of Canadiens out at least 8 weeks". NHL.com. January 6, 2017. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  26. ↑ Dumont, Marc (March 21, 2018). "Analyze This: Against all odds, Brendan Gallagher forges career season". Montereal Gazette. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  27. ↑ Cudzinowski, Matt (April 23, 2018). "Brendan Gallagher nominated for King Clancy Memorial Trophy". NHL.com. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  28. ↑ "Defenceman Shea Weber is the Montreal Canadiens' new captain". Montreal Gazette. October 1, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  29. ↑ "Philadelphia Flyers - Montreal Canadiens - February 21st, 2019". NHL.com. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Canadiens sign forward Brendan Gallagher to a six-year contract extension". NHL.com. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  31. ↑ "Gallagher: 'Every single guy gave everything they had'". NHL.com. July 8, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  32. ↑ Basu, Arpon (April 6, 2022). "Brendan Gallagher's ability to adapt in his role as the identity of the Canadiens is vital to their future success". The Athletic. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  33. ↑ Cowan, Stu (September 16, 2022). "Healthy at last, Canadiens' Gallagher banks on a rebound". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  34. 1 2 Cowan, Stu (April 18, 2023). "Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher hopes his bad breaks are over". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  35. ↑ Leijon, Erik (March 28, 2023). "Don't count out Gallagher just yet". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 28, 2023.
  36. ↑ Doerrie, Rachel (April 18, 2023). "How risky can it be for NHL players to play with injuries?". The Hockey News. Retrieved April 19, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Giants star Brendan Gallagher back in Vancouver after getting cut by Team Canada". The Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network. December 14, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2011.
  38. ↑ "Game Summary" (PDF). IIHF. December 31, 2011. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  39. ↑ "Game Summary" (PDF). IIHF. January 3, 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 18, 2023. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  40. ↑ "Game Summary" (PDF). IIHF. January 5, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  41. ↑ "Player Statistics By Team" (PDF). IIHF. January 5, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2012.
  42. ↑ "Ex-Giant captain Brendan Gallagher hopes first NHL goal is Hab-it forming". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  43. ↑ "Pee-Wee players who have reached NHL or WHA" (PDF). Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament. 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 6, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2019.
  44. ↑ Ewen, Steve (January 12, 2012). "Gallagher's standing tall". The Province. Vancouver: Postmedia News. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  45. ↑ Blinn, Michael (January 11, 2014). "Canadiens Forward Creates Burger for Quebec-Area McDonald's Restaurants". si.com. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  46. ↑ "The Gallagher - McDonalds.ca". mcdonalds.ca. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016. Retrieved December 28, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Canadiens forwards rib fans about McDonald's burgers". NHL.com. November 25, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  48. ↑ "Steve Ewen: Habs' Gallagher dishes on Bengals, Blue Jays, Tottenham, sports fans". The Province. August 29, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2021.
  49. ↑ Cloutier, Hélène (July 24, 2023). "My Man: Emma Fortin on Brendan Gallagher". NHL.com. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
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