Ben Gallacher
Image: Ohio State

Ben Gallacher

Hometown:

Calgary Alberta

Team:

Florida Panthers

Currently Playing In:

NCAA

Birthday:

1992-07-11
Position:

D
Eligible for draft:

2010
Shoots:

Left
Drafted:

2010
Height:

5-11
Acquired:

4th round (93rd overall), 2010
Weight:

183 lbs.
Prospect Talent Score
5.5

About Prospect Talent Score and Probability of Success»

Probability of Success
  • D

History

2008-09: Ben Gallacher played with the Camrose Kodiaks in the AJHL. He scored 4 goals with 6 asssists and 58 PIM in 43 games. In nine playoff games he has 1 assist and 4 PIM.

2009-10: Gallacher was much more active in the attack in his second year with Camrose. He scored 3 goals with 19 assists and 61 PIM in 34 games and then added 1 goal and 1 assist with 43 PIM in 11 playoff games.

2010-11: Gallacher was one of the more combative defensemen in the Alberta Junior Hockey league in his third season with Camrose. Despite missing time in January and also drawing a pair of suspensions, he finished with 5 goals and 27 assists in 37 regular games with 119 PMs. After finishing third in the AJHL's South Division, the Kodiaks advanced to the playoff finals against eventual AJHL champ Spruce Grove. Gallacher scored 3 goals with 5 assists while being assessed 52 PMs in 18 playoff games. Camrose hosted the 2011 RBC Cup and Gallacher scored a power play goal and had 1 assist with 8 PMs in five games in the tournament.

2011-12: Gallacher skated in 24 games as a freshman at Ohio State University in what would be his only season with the Buckeyes. He scored 1 goal with 11 assists and was minus-three with 30 penalty minutes. Ohio State finished ninth in the CCHA and were swept by Notre Dame in the conference tournament. Following the season Gallacher left school and will play for the USHL's Green Bay Gamblers in 2012-13.

2012-13: Gallacher skated in 42 games for Green Bay — receiving a pair of suspensions for questionable hits in his first season in the USHL. He scored 4 goals with 19 assists and was +2 with 72 penalty minutes. The defending USHL champions, the Gamblers finished second in the Eastern Conference and lost to Youngstown in a playoff series. Gallacher was an even plus/minus with no points and 4 penalty minutes in three playoff games. In October 2012 he committed to playing college hockey at Massachusetts-Amherst and he will skate for the Minutemen in 2013-14.

 

Talent Analysis

Gallacher is a playmaking two-way defenseman who is simply difficult to play against.  His game is based on solid, gritty positioning and board play, moving the puck and joining the rush when the opportunity presents itself. He plays with an edge to his game even though he is undersized, and is not afraid to use his body to dish out punishment against the opposition.

 

Future

After playing his one season of USHL hockey in order to meet NCAA transfer requirements, Gallacher will resume his college hockey career this fall with the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

 

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