Brendan Gallagher facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brendan Gallagher
Gallagher with the Montreal Canadiens in 2015
Born	(1992-05-06) May 6, 1992 (age 33) 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 was born on May 6, 1992. He is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. He plays as a winger and is an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens. This team is part of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Canadiens picked him in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL entry draft. He was the 147th player chosen overall.

Brendan played four years in major junior ice hockey. During this time, he was named to the Western Hockey League (WHL) West First All-Star Team twice. This happened in the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons. He also became the Vancouver Giants' all-time top scorer for goals and points. For his country, Canada, he won a bronze medal at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. He also won a gold medal at the 2016 IIHF World Championship.

Playing Career

Junior Hockey Days

Gallagher with the Vancouver Giants in April 2009

Brendan Gallagher started playing hockey in the South Delta Minor Hockey Association. The Vancouver Giants picked him in the 2007 Western Hockey League (WHL) draft. He joined the Giants for his first season in 2008–09. He scored his first WHL goal on September 27, 2008. This was in a 7–3 win against the Prince George Cougars. He finished that season with ten goals and 31 points in 52 games. In the playoffs, he added three points.

The next season (2009–10), Brendan got much better. He scored 81 points in 72 games. His 41 goals were the most on the team. He continued his strong play in the playoffs. He helped the Giants reach the semifinals again. He had 21 points in 16 playoff games.

In 2010, Brendan was chosen by the Montreal Canadiens. They picked him in the fifth round of the 2010 NHL entry draft. He then went back to play for the Giants. In the 2010–11 season, he had his best junior year. He scored 91 points in 66 games. This made him the top scorer on his team. He was also named to the league's West First All-Star Team.

In December 2011, Brendan joined the Canadian national junior team. When he returned to the Giants, he had an amazing game. He scored seven points, including a hat-trick. A few days later, he became the team captain. Soon after, he broke the Giants' all-time records. He became the leader in both goals and points for the team. He was also voted the most valuable player for his team.

During his junior career, Brendan became known as a fast and energetic player. He was good at scoring goals. He also played with a lot of passion and was strong in both offense and defense.

Professional Hockey

Brendan started his professional career with the Hamilton Bulldogs. This was the Canadiens' minor league team. He joined the Montreal Canadiens for the 2012–13 NHL season. He scored his first NHL goal on January 27, 2013. This was against famous goalie Martin Brodeur. He finished his first NHL season with 15 goals and 13 assists. He quickly became an important player for Montreal. He was even nominated for the Calder Memorial Trophy. This award is for the NHL's best rookie player.

On November 29, 2014, Brendan signed a six-year contract extension with the Canadiens.

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

In September 2015, the team named Brendan an alternate captain. This is a leadership role on the team. He faced some injuries during the 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons. He broke fingers and his hand from blocking shots. But he always came back to play.

The 2017–18 season was his best year so far. He scored a career-high 54 points. He also won the Molson Cup as the Canadiens' player of the year. He was also nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This award is for players who show great leadership and help their community.

In the 2018–19 season, Brendan was again an alternate captain. On February 21, 2019, he scored his first NHL hat-trick. He played his 500th NHL game on October 30, 2019.

On October 14, 2020, Brendan signed another big contract with the Canadiens.

In the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, Brendan was a key player. He scored an important goal in Game 7 against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadiens won that game and the series. He also scored the winning goal in Game 1 against the Winnipeg Jets. The Canadiens swept the Jets in that series. He helped the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in 28 years. They lost the final series to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The 2021–22 season was tough for Brendan and the team. He missed many games due to injuries and COVID-19. He worked hard to get healthy again. In the 2022–23 season, he broke his ankle twice. Despite this, he scored his 200th career NHL goal in March 2023. He continues to work on staying healthy.

On January 23, 2025, Brendan played in his 800th career NHL game.

International Play

Medal record
Representing  Canada
Men's ice hockey
IIHF World Championship
Gold	2016 Russia
World Junior Championships
Bronze	2012 Canada
World U-17 Hockey Challenge
Silver	2009 Canada

Brendan has played for Hockey Canada several times. In 2009, he won a silver medal at the 2009 World U-17 Hockey Challenge.

In 2012, he played for the Canadian national junior team at the 2012 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. This tournament was held in his home province of Alberta. He helped Canada win a bronze medal. He finished the tournament with six points (three goals and three assists).

In April 2016, Brendan joined the national senior team. He played in the 2016 IIHF World Championship. He scored two goals and three assists in ten games. His team won the gold medal!

Personal Life

Brendan was born in Edmonton, Alberta. He grew up in Tsawwassen, British Columbia. His family moved there when he was 12 years old. When he was young, he played in the 2005 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament.

His father, Ian, is a strength and conditioning coach for the Vancouver Giants. His mother, Della, also comes from a sports background. She played baseball as a shortstop and catcher. Brendan has three siblings: two sisters, Erin and Breanne, and a brother, Nolan.

In 2014, McDonald's in Quebec created "The Gallagher" burger. He also helped create another special burger for McDonald's in 2015.

Brendan supports the Tottenham Hotspur F.C. soccer team and the Cincinnati Bengals football team.

In July 2023, Brendan got engaged to Emma Fortin. They were married in Montreal a year later. In December 2024, they announced they are expecting their first child.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2009	Canada Pacific	U17			6	2	3	5	12
2012	Canada	WJC			6	3	3	6	12
2016	Canada	WC			10	2	3	5	12
Junior totals					12	5	6	11	24
Senior totals					10	2	3	5	12

Awards and Honours

Records

Vancouver Giants

• All-time goals leader – 136
• All-time points leader – 280