Kannok-Leipert and Gallant reunited once again this season, this time with Kannok-Leipert in a Bakersfield Condors jersey. Their late-season scrap was set up behind the play and stopped the game action when their gloves hit the ice. 

This wasn’t by fluke either. Obviously, you know there are younger and smaller guys that likely won’t want to take on someone like Gallant and he’s not going out on the ice to bully guys. He is aware of who is more likely to throw down with him on any given night.

Gallant said:

“I’d say most teams have one or two guys that kind of didn’t play that role or stir things up, so I always, I’m always aware of who’s on the other side and I guess anything to get that edge.”

Another much talked about tilt was a fight at centre ice between Gallant and Travis Howe of the San Diego Gulls in early 2024 that knocked them both down by the end of it, but they did end up shaking hands with each other on the way to their respective sides of the penalty box.

This skill that Gallant has built a career and reputation on is also something he passes along to his young teammates. This year in particular, that was David Silye and Parker Bell. Around the midway mark of the season, these two were looking to increase their physicality and took some one-on-one time with Gallant to learn the tricks of the trade.

Parker Bell only had two penalty minutes registered against him in the first half of the season and in the second half of the season, he registered 31 minutes, including three fighting majors in the last month of the season. His last fight ended up taking him out for the rest of the season, but he would still like to build off his experience. 

Bell said:

“You’re trying to make an impact in any way you can. And I think, yeah, started fighting and last one didn’t go too well something didn’t go too well, but, yeah. 
I’m just trying to be hard to against and develop a role in this team and, pitch in any way I can.”

David Silye on the other hand, brought his physical side out a bit earlier in the year with a continuing altercation call against him against the Henderson Silver Knights on Nov. 10, then a fight on Nov. 22 against the same opponent. 

Silye did play most of the season but was it was cut short about a month before the regular season came to a close due to a lower body injury. He was able to return in time for the playoffs and finished the season with 38 PIMs. 

Even with these younger guys trying their hand at the physical game, Gallant’s skill still stands out in the crowd. Gallant is not completely unaware of the circulation of his fights on a variety of media outlets, but getting featured on a sports page or an Instagram account isn’t what he’s on the ice for. He said:

“It’s kind of just whatever, I’m playing my game. You know, if it ends up going viral or whatever, it’s neat. A lot of people from back home will send it to me but no, it’s not what I’m out there trying to do. It just ends up being part of it.”

As a 32-year-old, on a bench with a bunch of young guys in the early days of their professional career, it sure must be nice for them to be on the same bench as Gallant as opposed to being on the receiving end of his physicality. Alex Gallant is tough as nails on ice, but goes to battle for his teammates and earned his Wranglers leadership position off the ice with his personality and mentorship.