Brendan Gallagher is the kind of guy you might think would do anything to defend his team… and his coach.
When Martin St-Louis decides to do a punishing training after a humiliating defeat, Gallagher stands up, faithful to the post. “It takes brutal honesty. We haven’t learned our lesson.” he says.
Well, there he is, good soldier Gallagher, ready to sacrifice himself for St. Louis. The one who, casually, owes his coach a good one.
Why this loyalty to St-Louis?
In truth, Gallagher knows that he owes part of his resurgence to this coach.
After a few struggling seasons, where we thought he was almost finished, Gallagher has regained some of his youthful airs, alongside Jake Evans and thanks to the confidence of St-Louis.
He is far from the numbers of yesteryear, but with a few goals and assists already in his pocket this season, Gallagher proves that he is not yet in early retirement.
So, yes, this loyalty comes from a coach who let him find himself without putting too much pressure on him.
“Marty has always been very understanding… He defends the players,” he admits.
Not the kind of coach to kick you out at the first misstep, but now things have changed. “We are no longer the team we were two years ago. There are a lot more expectations and pressure to perform. »
As a good veteran, Gallagher sees this pressure building, he feels that the tide is turning, and he is ready to line up behind his coach to send a clear message to the young people: no more cooking.
And if it takes suicides on the ice to shake up the gang, well, so be it.
Gallagher is the one who leads by example.
When he says “get through this together”it’s not for nice words.
That means he’s ready to crawl in the mud, and he expects others to do the same.
No room for excuses.
It’s the Canadian, it’s Montreal, and in this city, we don’t forgive failures for long.
He’s here to show young people what it means to play with heart – even if it means swallowing your pride and supporting a coach who demands more than ever.
So yes, Gallagher owes St. Louis, but it’s not just gratitude.
It’s a tacit exchange: a coach who lets him breathe, and a player who supports him in difficult times.
Not a facade of support, no, but a real alliance of veteran and coach.
When we see Gallagher line up behind St-Louis, we see a guy who is ready to remind everyone that the Canadian is not a daycare.
This is a team that must win.
Amen!
