On Wednesday, at 3 p.m. at Montreal City Hall, Brendan Gallagher was recognized as an Honorary Citizen of the City of Montreal.
The honor acknowledges those whose acts, artwork, and dedication to the community have had a lasting positive influence on the welfare of Montrealers.
Gallagher has always been the loudest presence in the arena despite never being the most well-known figure on the ice.
He recorded 23 points in 77 games for the Canadiens last season, has a $6.5 million cap hit, and is 34 years old.
These aren’t celebrity statistics. Due to his point scores, the city did not declare him a citizen.
What this acknowledgement really means should be taken into account. A professional athlete receiving citizenship honors is not the same as shaking hands at a benefit gala. Montreal is formally declaring that this individual improved our quality of life.
In any NHL city, especially one as proud and complicated as Montreal, a hockey player earning that is uncommon.
Beyond the Bell Centre, Gallagher’s influence reached a wider audience.
He spent his entire career in a Canadiens jersey, through lean years, through rebuilds and roster overhauls that saw friends leave, and through the 2021 Stanley Cup Final run.
He remained. He never sought a trade and every night battled for pucks in the corners, enduring hits, and slashes.
With 106 points, the Canadiens concluded the season with a record of 48-24-10. That group has a very bright future.
However, everyone in that city is aware that Gallagher was the bridge.
Accountability and compete level were the foundations of Martin St-Louis’ coaching philosophy. Before St-Louis even entered the building, Gallagher had adhered to that norm for many years.
The event on Thursday was brief, official, and ceremonial. What it meant for one of the most devoted players this franchise has seen in a generation is extraordinary.
Nobody in Montreal is openly questioning what will happen to him, yet. No one knows what his future holds for the squad next season, whether it’s his contract, his job, or anything else.
Honorary member of the community. Still a Hab. For the time being.
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