Brendan Gallagher was never supposed to make it to the NHL. At least, that’s what the experts believed. But from the moment he first put on skates, he defied expectations. When a teacher asked young Brendan what he wanted to be when he grew up, his answer was immediate: “I want to play in the NHL.” The teacher smiled and asked, “No, for real…” But for Gallagher, it was always real.
Born in Edmonton, Alberta, and growing up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia, he played minor hockey in the South Delta Minor Hockey Association. He was never the biggest player on the ice, but he had something that couldn’t be measured: heart. That same heart caught the attention of the WHL’s Vancouver Giants, who selected him in the ninth round of the 2007 WHL Bantam Draft. The odds were against him, but once again, Gallagher proved the doubters wrong. He became one of the Giants’ all-time greats, finishing his WHL career as the franchise’s leading goal scorer and earning a place in the team’s Ring of Honour.
Despite his junior success, NHL scouts remained skeptical. When the 2010 NHL Draft arrived, Gallagher sat through four long rounds before finally hearing his name called—147th overall by the Montreal Canadiens. Even then, NHL Central Scouting had ranked him just five spots higher at 142nd. It was clear: Gallagher would have to fight for every inch in the pros, just as he always had.
Long time follower on Twitter and on here, @lucielou08.bsky.social, did this for Brendan Gallagher. Your heart, dear lady, is made of GOLD. There are no words to describe your act of kindness here. 💜#GoHabsGo #Habs
— JD Lagrange (@jdlagrange.bsky.social) 2025-03-21T16:34:49.364Z
And fight he did. Gallagher cracked the Canadiens’ lineup in the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season and made an immediate impact. His fearless net-front presence and relentless work ethic earned him a Calder Trophy nomination as one of the league’s top rookies. Unlike many players who shy away from the physical toll of the game, Gallagher thrived in the so-called “dirty areas” of the ice. His net-front office was a place where he took abuse from defenders, absorbed cross-checks, and battled for every rebound.
That playing style came at a cost. Gallagher suffered multiple injuries, including two broken hands—both from friendly fire off Shea Weber slap shots. But he never wavered. His teammates and coaches lauded him for his tenacity, and opponents found him nearly impossible to contain. Defenseman Marc Methot once called him the hardest player to play against, noting his strength, balance, and ability to pop back up no matter how hard he was hit.
As he matured, Gallagher embraced a leadership role. He learned from veterans like Weber and passed those lessons on to younger players, including Rafaël Harvey-Pinard, who earned the nickname “Lavallagher” for his Gallagher-like style of play. Year after year, he exceeded expectations, even posting back-to-back 30-goal seasons—all while playing on a bargain $3.75 million contract. When the time came for a new deal, Marc Bergevin rewarded his dedication with a six-year, $39 million contract extension.
But as Gallagher’s career progressed, the injuries piled up. His fearless style, once his greatest asset, became his biggest challenge. The 2021 Stanley Cup Playoff run was a war of attrition, one that effectively ended the careers of Weber, Carey Price and Paul Byron, while leaving Gallagher battered and exhausted. The following seasons were difficult as injuries slowed his production and led critics to question whether he could still be an impact player.
Yet, in true Gallagher fashion, he adapted. Under head coach Martin St-Louis, he has found a way to remain effective, playing a vital role. At the time of writing this, only Cole Caufield (33) and Nick Suzuki (21) have more goals than Gallagher (17). Even with personal hardships—losing his mother while adjusting to life as a new father—Gally has continued to give everything for the Canadiens.
In this his 13th season with the Canadiens, his days as a 30-goal scorer may be behind him, but Brendan Gallagher’s story has never been about stats. It’s about resilience, heart, and an unwavering commitment to his team. His contract may not match his production anymore, but his value to the Canadiens goes beyond the scoresheet.
Heart and soul may be a cliché, but in Gallagher’s case, it’s the only way to describe him. It always has been.
