He's listed at 5-foot-9 and 184 pounds, but if Gallagher is built like a VW Beetle he plays like a Humvee.

Crashing the crease, always being around the puck and frequently riling up opponents, Gallagher has become one of the darlings of the Bell Centre crowd. He has been known to provide a jolt of energy when the Montreal Canadiens need it most.

Born in Edmonton, reared in Delta, British Columbia, Gallagher has always fought the perception that he is undersized. Vancouver of the Western Hockey League didn't select him until the ninth round of the 2007 Bantam Draft. Despite a productive junior career, he was bypassed until the fifth round (No. 147) of the 2010 NHL Draft.

Gallagher had a record-setting four-season career with Vancouver, posting franchise career bests of 136 goals and 280 points. Beginning his pro career with Hamilton of the American Hockey League in the 2012-13 season, he made an immediate impact, scoring 10 goals in 36 games.

He joined the Canadiens midway through the season and had 15 goals and 28 points in 44 games, finishing second to the Florida Panthers' Jonathan Huberdeau in Calder Trophy voting.

Gallagher's value to the Canadiens was never more apparent than when he missed nearly six weeks of the 2015-16 season. He fractured two fingers on Nov. 22, 2015 and required surgery. Montreal went 5-11-1 in his absence and went on to miss the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Joining Team Canada for the World Championship following the season, Gallagher helped his country win the gold medal in Russia.

In 2017-18, Gallagher led the Canadiens in points (54) and goals (31). He was also nominated for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy as a player who best exemplifies leadership qualities and gives back to the community.

The next season, Gallagher had 52 points and again led the Canadiens in goals with 33. He scored his first NHL hat trick on Feb. 21, 2019 in a 5-1 win against the Philadelphia Flyers.

NOTES & TRANSACTIONS

• WHL West First All-Star Team (2011, 2012)
• NHL All-Rookie Team (2013)