Prior to the Christmas break the Estevan Bruins struggled to find their offensive groove, but since returning from the holidays they have done just that and as a result are on the cusp of not only nailing down a playoff spot, but possibly moving up a rung or two more in the standings.
One of the players who has taken his game to another level is 19-year-old forward Eddie Gallagher. The St. Albert, Alta., product has collected 21 of his 41 points since the calendar flipped to 2020 including six multi-point outings. As a result, the 5-foot-8, 165-pound forward has obliterated his totals from last year when he registered 18 points in 43 games as a Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League rookie.
Gallagher’s output this season is the most since his first year of midget hockey when he had 41 points in 36 games with the St. Albert Minor Midget AAA Flyers. For the next two years Gallagher toiled with the St. Albert Raiders of the Alberta Midget AAA Hockey League and in 56 games over that span he tallied 12 goals and added 24 assists.
This season has seen Gallagher given more responsibilities as four of his goals have come on the power-play and a similar number of his tallies have been game-winning markers. He has also been perfect in shootout-attempts converting both of his opportunities with one of those also being a game winner.
The Bruins will be hoping his play continues to improve as they move towards making the playoffs and a run at a Canalta Cup championship. Gallagher will undoubtedly be a big part of their plans next year and if his birthday had been three days later he would certainly have been a cornerstone for the club that will host the 2022 Centennial Cup presented by Tim Horton’s. For now his focus is on what is in front of him and that is getting Estevan into the playoff mix.
