Normally, two reasons should have prompted Brendan Gallagher celebrate Monday. First, it is his 21th birthday and the icing on the cake was to learn that he has been nominated for certification as a rookie in the NHL.
Smiling excessively, small and energetic attacker cared too however the fate of his team in the playoffs to rejoice.
“I feel honored and I’m flattered, but I have not thought too much about it with the season and the playoffs now. I had a little time to enjoy the new when I received the phone call, “said Gallagher who finds himself competing with Jonathan Huberdeau (Panthers) and Brandon Saad (Blackhawks).
All coaches and players rejoiced for the combative number 11, but Michel Therrien jumped at the opportunity to deplore an observed position in the series.
“He is a victim of a lot of abuse. I saw the game and I think to many blows to the head, “said Therrien.
“Tabarslac, we abuse it! “Has he repeated.
“It forces the Senators bailing punishment, but it should create a lot more. It bothers in style, but you hope that the arbitrators will impose more punishment.
“For Brendan throws gloves (against Cory Conacher), it is because they abused him and that’s the same thing with PK Subban. There comes a point where the player wants to make the law, “continued the Montreal driver.
Gallagher does not intend to complain about the treatment he provided it is mostly used to being watched closely by his opponents. He even gave a lot of credit to his teammates for his performance.
“Many players are working very hard in our group. For my part, I try to learn from them every day and I am their model. I had good teammates and teachers this year, “argued the five-foot eight inches that will stop at one.
His feat is even more remarkable because he was selected in the fifth round (147th overall) in 2010. He has proved his worth in his first season.
“It is so well deserved. He has a good attitude as a person and hockey player. The NHL needs more young people like him to sell the sport, “praised his coach with a smile.
For its part, Subban used a glowing compliment to describe the contribution of Gallagher.
“I have already said, if everyone worked like him, we would have a good chance to win every night. It is rare to see a show as consistently recruit “, he noted.
Subban also raised the fight against Gallagher Conacher as an important aspect.
“For those who say that dissension or things that do not work in our cloakroom, seeing players like Gallagher drop the gloves says a lot. ”
“It is surely the same people who said that we would miss the playoffs and we only finished second in our organization,” he told the expressive defender.
Gallagher, who confessed to beating an average of three times per season as a junior, received attention all over the NHL before receiving the appointment.
In fact, his inspired play earned him the flowers of many observers who identify as the player that his teammates should copy to prevail.
Overview finalists
In 44 games this season, right winger CH managed 15 goals and 13 assists he collected, in addition to presenting a plus-10.
The Quebecers Huberdeau, 20, has finished first in scoring among rookies players tied with Russian Nail Yakupov of the Edmonton Oilers, both totaling 31 points. Huberdeau, the Panthers’ first choice in 2011, scored three goals less than Yakupov, 14, several of which were noteworthy.
Yakupov was however ignored the vote, despite the fact that he dominated the rookies with 17 goals. The Russian had 11 nets in April.
For his part, Saad, 20, judicious choice of the second round of the Blackhawks in 2011 (43rd overall), collected 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 46 games.
Another first-year player for the Canadiens, Alex Galchenyuk, could be found in the trio of finalists. Galchenyuk, 19, totaled 27 points, nine goals in 48 games and an excellent plus-15.
No rookie Canadian has won the Calder Trophy for the goalie Ken Dryden in 1972.
The winner will be announced during the course of the Stanley Cup final.
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