BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — A new number will hang from the rafters in Idaho Central Arena, but the player is no longer with us.
Lance Galbraith, forward for the Idaho Steelheads in the mid-2000s and two-time Kelly Cup Champion, passed away in a car crash April 22, this year, at the age of 42.
His #71 jersey will be retired December 17, 2022, before the Idaho Steelheads face the Rapid City Rush.
Galbraith's passing brought some perspective on the player's career. He was seen a larger-than-life player, but it wasn't his physical attributes than made him a huge presence. Former Steelheads head coach, John Olver, who coached the cup-winning team in 2003-2004, shared his thoughts on Galbraith's build.
"My first impression was, he was not the most physically imposing person," Olver said. "He was about 5 '10. If you saw him with a shirt off, you would know that he's never seen a weight room in his life."
Galbraith was a strong fighter, however, in his work competitiveness and in actual fist fights. His spirit earned him his nickname 'Rooster.'
"After a short period of time, I came up with the nickname 'Rooster,' because he was just the most fierce guy you've ever played with," Olver said. "He was tough as nails, fearless. (He) had this kind of swagger like a rooster walking around the barnyard there."
Galbraith's legendary status as a crowd-pleasing fighter is paired with his statistical accomplishments.
Idaho Steelheads Career Statistics from ECHL Era (2004-Present)
- Points: T-2nd (210)
- Goals:3rd(83)
- Assists:5th (127)
- Penalty Minutes: 1st(1071)
- Games Played:8th (229)
Galbraith has more than double the number of penalty minutes served in Steelheads history than the 2nd highest player on that list, Marty Flichel (471).
He was known for his wild side. Players and coaches remarked on several stories, including one where Galbraith threw an exercise bike through a wall after a playoff defeat, and the time he and teammate Zenon Konopka showed up to a Kelly Cup game against the Florida Everblades, dressed as alligator hunters.
"They show up in crocodile hunting outfits, or gators," former defenseman Jeremy Mylymok said laughingly. "I'm like 'what are you guys doing.'"
Beyond his antics, however, Galbraith's teammates remember the team player and man he was.
"There's no doubt without him, we're not winning a cup," Mylymok said. "He just meant so much to the team, on the ice, off the ice. He got the guys close, he made sure everybody was included. Big heart."
Galbraith's jersey retirement had been in the works for years, long before his death, but he was never able to make it out to Boise. He had another priority, taking care of his parents, who were suffering from illness.
"The Steelheads were trying to retire his jersey for years and because his parents were sick and he was taking care of his parents, he didn't want to go to Boise and he felt bad that his parents might feel bad, because they couldn't travel," former teammate Zenon Konopka said.
Konopka and Galbraith were extremely close, having played elsewhere before they crossed paths again in Idaho. Konopka went on to play in the NHL years later, with Galbraith staying in Idaho, with a few short spells elsewhere in between his second Kelly Cup win with Idaho in 2007."
Tragically, Galbraith's death meant that he would never get to see his jersey hanging in the rafters, but his legacy will be immortalized. Current forward Jack Becker said the team would play for him Saturday, December 17, the game in which his jersey will be retired.
"Yeah, it's just a special night you know," Becker said. "You know how much he meant to this organization and this team, and this city, so we'll be playing hard for him and looking forward to it."
The Steelheads face Rapid City Friday, Dec. 16 and again on the 17th when Galbraith's jersey is retired. Idaho won its matchup Wednesday, December 14 against Rapid City, 4-1.
ncG1vNJzZmihlJa1sLrEsKpnm5%2BifLS8zqurrGeZma6pu4ysq56dnJ2yorDSaKqtnZWhtaatw6xkq52knr%2Bmecuaq55loKGuurHRrGSjnaKosro%3D