Brendan Gallagher addresses media hours after posting on family tragedy

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher shared devastating news with his fans on Thursday morning, publishing on Instagram an emotional social media post that his mother, Della Gallagher, had passed away.

Along with a series of cherished photos with his mother to Instagram, Gallagher wrote:

“The best mom we could have had! Grateful for all the amazing memories we have. I will cherish them and remember them always.

Not a day will go by I won’t want to pick up the phone and call you, or give you a big hug [and] tell you I love you. But we will all charge on with everything you taught us making you proud every single day.

Rest in peace mom, I love you. I miss you.”

Hours after the heartbreaking post and hours ahead of tonight’s game against the Islanders in New York, Gallagher met with reporters on site and emotionally spoke about his mother and how glad he is that his mother met her granddaughter, who has her name.

This is a footage from RDS from today: 

Almost four years ago, Della was diagnosed with glioblastoma — a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. Fortin and Gallagher welcomed their first child earlier this month.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Gallagher and all who loved Della.