Choosing to represent Cournoyer really was a no-brainer for Gallagher.
He credits Cournoyer, who is also rather small in stature by NHL standards at 5-foot-7, with helping to prove that size isn't everything in hockey.
"As a smaller player, you're always looking at other smaller guys. Those are guys who definitely paved the way for me being able to do what I do," explained Gallagher, who certainly makes the most of his 5-foot-9, 184-pound frame night after night. "I wasn't able to grow up watching him play, but to hear stories and just to know what he's all about, it sounds like he was someone that was a treat for fans to watch and a treat to be a teammate of. He's the type of guy you'd want in your locker room."
The fact that the man dubbed "The Roadrunner" hoisted the Cup again and again over the years also captured Gallagher's attention, of course.
"You love winners, and that's what he was," praised Gallagher. "That's the ultimate goal. You want to be a winner, too. The fact that he won the Stanley Cup so many times says a lot about him. He probably had to retire because he ran out of fingers to put his Stanley Cup rings on."
All kidding aside, Gallagher is hoping a little bit of Cournoyer's magic will rub off on him versus the Isles. And his linemates would undoubtedly appreciate a helping hand from the respective Hall of Famers they're representing as well.
"I think we were kind of joking around. On our line, I'm wearing Mr. Cournoyer's jersey, Phil [Danault] has Jean Beliveau, and Tuna's [Tomas Tatar] got Henri Richard. They might be the three greatest forwards in the history of the Habs," mentioned Gallagher. "Hopefully the three of us can honor that pretty well."
Having met away from the rink on several occasions, Gallagher is a real fan of the genuine person Cournoyer is too.
"You definitely listen to everything he has to say. His personality just comes out. He's a good person to be around. He's got a good sense of humor, and he likes to joke around. At the same time, he's been through a lot and he's got a lot of experience," said Gallagher. "He told me a few stories during our meetings, and he's obviously a guy that I respect a lot."