By Dhiren Mahiban /
At his size, Giants right-winger Brendan Gallagher isn’t supposed to be having success at this level. However, the feisty 5-8 Delta-native is in the top 20 in league scoring, and his teammates call him one of the hardest workers on the ice.
After notching 31 points in 52 games during his rookie campaign last year, Gallagher has already surpassed those numbers this season with 20 goals and 37 points through 33 games (as of Dec 8).
The hard-nosed 17-year-old credits his off-season training and the confidence his coach has in him.
“In the summer I went back and worked hard trying to get better because I needed to get a lot of opportunity,” admitted Gallagher.
“Don (Hay) has been playing me a lot so I’m trying to take advantage opportunity. I’m just making sure I don’t take a game off, keep doing what I do best: just getting to the net and get in guys’ faces.”
His hard work and tenacity is something the guys in the room find motivating.
“He’s unbelievable; he’s a fearless guy,” said Giants captain, Lance Bouma. “He’s a guy who is not scared to go in the corners, he’s not scared to take the puck to the net – with his size, it’s really inspirational.
“He doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer and he’s been really good for us.”
Gallagher is currently in the middle of his first season of eligibility for the NHL Draft.
“You try not to think of it – but obviously it’s something that’s there and every game scouts are going to be there so I just have to try and impress them every night,” said Gallagher, who tries to model his game after Tampa Bay Lightning forward Martin St. Louis.
“Looking at the smaller players – I try to model my game after their game. With the new rule changes (post-lockout), you see more guys getting in.”
Rivalry heats up
It has taken four seasons, but that much talked about cross-town rivalry between the Giants and Chilliwack Bruins is finally getting interesting.
Through the first five meetings between the two teams (as of Dec. 8) the Bruins are 2-2-0-1 against the Giants.
Duing those five games, the Bruins managed to pick up their first ever regular season regulation win, 6-1, at the Pacific Coliseum (Nov 18).
“They have some confidence winning the last two games,” said Bouma. “Last game we took way too many penalties and we’ve got to get back to playing a lot smarter.”
Vancouver and Chilliwack have three more meetings, including Dec. 18 at the Coliseum, before the season wraps up.
“They’re a well coached, solid checking team and we’re pretty similar teams when we play against each other,” added Bouma.
Giants hire new scout
In other team news, the club announced that Mike Dyck has been hired as a WHL scout. Dyck, a former Giants assistant coach, will coach Team Pacific at the Under-17 World Challenge in Timmins, Ont. later this month. |