WHL Draft Day Steals: Brendan Gallagher
Looking back at Brendan Gallagher, who was drafted by the Vancouver Giants in the ninth round.
Photo by Bob Frid-USA TODAY Sports - WHL Draft Day Steals: Brendan GallagherWelcome to this edition of WHL Draft Day Steals. In this recurring column, we look at some of the best steals in the history of the WHL Draft. This week's steal is Brendan Gallagher, who was drafted by the Vancouver Giants 195th overall in 2007.
During the 2007 draft, the Giants took a chance on a 5'3", 125-pound local kid playing for the South Delta Storm U15 A1. Little did they know he would develop into the franchise's all-time leading scorer and one of the most popular players to ever play in Vancouver. It's safe to say it was not a bad use of a ninth-round pick.
Gallagher was drafted after putting up 117 points in 68 games for the South Delta Storm U15 A1. He would then move to the Greater Van Canadians U18 AAA before making the Giants full-time ahead of the 2008-09 season. Over the next four seasons, Gallagher would record 280 points in 244 games for Vancouver, represent his country at the World Juniors and be drafted by the Montréal Canadiens 147th overall in 2010.
Since leaving the WHL in 2012, Gallagher has become a staple in the Canadiens lineup. He is set to play his 13th season with the historic club and could hit the 800-game mark if he can stay healthy. While many late-round steals have gone on to have successful NHL careers, Gallagher is a great example of why smaller players should never give up on their dreams, as they, too, can find a place at the NHL level.
Make sure you bookmark THN's WHL site for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more.
