The idea of an enforcer is something that has slowly phased its way out of professional hockey in the last decade or two. As the game has gotten faster, the roles, builds, and style of play of some of the league’s best have also evolved. However, within the Wranglers, there is still one person in particular who maintains that identity and that is last season’s alternate captain, <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2023/06/06/alex-gallant-further-cemented-position-as-one-of-the-ahls-toughest-in-2022-23/">Alex Gallant</a>.
Gallant’s fights are often circulated on social media and throughout the hockey community due to the intense, old time hockey style of them. At the end of this year’s Wranglers season. He spoke about the research that goes into who and how he fights an opponent. 
Gallant said: 
<blockquote>“If I know that we got a weekend coming up playing someone with a couple of different guys that are pretty tough, I’ll watch to see how they’ve been doing or have done in the past and see little tactics they do or whatever. Anything to give me the upper hand.”</blockquote>
In 2023, Alex Gallant and Alex Kannok-Leipert of the Abbotsford Canucks had a tilt that was worthy of a fight of the year conversation. Full-fledged knuckles flying with both guys able to stay on their feet for a good 30 seconds. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Alex Gallant vs. Alex Kannok Leipert. Easily one of the most insane AHL fights I&#39;ve seen this season <a href="https://t.co/Qxi5MQAul0">pic.twitter.com/Qxi5MQAul0</a>
&mdash; Paige Siewert (@thathockeygirly) <a href="https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1646367902306795520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Alex Gallant and Alex Kannok Leipert have a chat after the faceoff and decide to drop the gloves <a href="https://t.co/UJUxlH7NyI">pic.twitter.com/UJUxlH7NyI</a>
&mdash; Paige Siewert (@thathockeygirly) <a href="https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1905824208372060469?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 29, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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: 
<blockquote>“I&#8217;d say most teams have one or two guys that kind of didn&#8217;t play that role or stir things up, so I always, I&#8217;m always aware of who&#8217;s on the other side and I guess anything to get that edge.”</blockquote>
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.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Old school tilt between Alex Gallant and Travis Howe. The type of fight they shook hands with each other at the end of it <a href="https://t.co/PneC2qtzes">pic.twitter.com/PneC2qtzes</a>
&mdash; Paige Siewert (@thathockeygirly) <a href="https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1756534225514160609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 11, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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 <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2024/08/05/flamesnations-2024-calgary-flames-prospect-rankings-honourable-mentions-parker-bell/">Parker Bell</a>. 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: 
<blockquote>“You&#8217;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&#8217;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.”</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Parker Bell exchanges a few punches with Ville Ottavainen <a href="https://t.co/LnkfubRYwa">pic.twitter.com/LnkfubRYwa</a>
&mdash; Paige Siewert (@thathockeygirly) <a href="https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1903876834007351461?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 23, 2025</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
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. 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Fight number two of the period. This one is between David Silye and Kai Uchacz. <a href="https://t.co/0MmYWxTjDK">pic.twitter.com/0MmYWxTjDK</a>
&mdash; Paige Siewert (@thathockeygirly) <a href="https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1870935119479046207?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2024</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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:
<blockquote>“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.”</blockquote>
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.  
<h1>This article is presented by Bon Ton Meat Market</h1>
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The idea of an enforcer is something that has slowly phased its way out of professional hockey in the last decade or two. As the game has gotten faster, the roles, builds, and style of play of some of the league’s best have also evolved. However, within the Wranglers, there is still one person in particular who maintains that identity and that is last season’s alternate captain, <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2023/06/06/alex-gallant-further-cemented-position-as-one-of-the-ahls-toughest-in-2022-23/">Alex Gallant</a>.

Gallant’s fights are often circulated on social media and throughout the hockey community due to the intense, old time hockey style of them. At the end of this year’s Wranglers season. He spoke about the research that goes into who and how he fights an opponent. 

Gallant said: 
<blockquote>“If I know that we got a weekend coming up playing someone with a couple of different guys that are pretty tough, I’ll watch to see how they’ve been doing or have done in the past and see little tactics they do or whatever. Anything to give me the upper hand.”</blockquote>
In 2023, Alex Gallant and Alex Kannok-Leipert of the Abbotsford Canucks had a tilt that was worthy of a fight of the year conversation. Full-fledged knuckles flying with both guys able to stay on their feet for a good 30 seconds. 

https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1646367902306795520

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. 

https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1905824208372060469

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: 
<blockquote>“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.”</blockquote>
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.

https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1756534225514160609

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 <a href="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/2024/08/05/flamesnations-2024-calgary-flames-prospect-rankings-honourable-mentions-parker-bell/">Parker Bell</a>. 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: 
<blockquote>“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.”</blockquote>
https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1903876834007351461

&nbsp;

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. 

https://twitter.com/thathockeygirly/status/1870935119479046207

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:
<blockquote>“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.”</blockquote>
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.  
<h1>This article is presented by Bon Ton Meat Market</h1>
<img class="aligncenter wp-image-138373 size-medium" src="https://publish.flamesnation.ca/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2099/08/Bon-Ton-Logo-300x300.png" alt="" width="300" height="300" />
A Tradition of quality products and personalized service for 104 years.
Proud to feature only the finest premium AAA Alberta Beef, Locally raised fresh pork, locally raised fresh free range chicken and turkey, fresh alberta lamb and milk fed veal.
Over 20 varieties of in store made salads,  delicious desserts and of course our famous in store made meat pies. Proud to be Calgary, and Southern Alberta's Consumers Choice Award Winner for best Meat and Deli for 24 consecutive years! Bon Ton Meat Market, 28 Crowfoot Circle NW.

How Wranglers alternate captain Alex Gallant prepares for fights and mentors the next generation

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