TO SAY Innes Gallacher is currently making up for lost time is maybe something of an understatement.

Heading into February last season, the 21-year-old forward was already enjoying his most productive season for Leeds Knights at NIHL National level. Boasting 14 goals and 11 assists in 40 league and cup games he was, essentially, the Knights’ very own ‘Flying Scotsman.’

But then, as had been the case on numerous occasions already during 2025-26 in the Knights camp, injury struck.

In the third period of the home game against Milton Keynes Lightning on February 1, Gallacher hit the deck in agony. Needing to be helped off, he had suffered what later turned out to be a season-ending knee injury.

PATIENCE: It is a long road to recovery for Innes Gallacher following a knee injury last season. Picture: Kev Bland/Knights Media.

placeholder image — PATIENCE: It is a long road to recovery for Innes Gallacher following a knee injury last season. Picture: Kev Bland/Knights Media.

“I was feeling comfortable with everything, I felt I was playing my best hockey so far and the team last season just felt really special,” said Gallacher who has signed a new one-year deal with the Knights it was announced on Friday.

“So it was really frustrating that the injury came when it did. But I've been fortunate enough that I haven't had an injury before that has put me out for so long, this is my first one.”

Gallacher’s pain at being left on the sidelines was eased considerably when he was able to witness his team-mates maintain their run of lifting silverware for a fourth year.

He was there for the NIHL National play-off weekend, when the Knights got the better of both their Yorkshire rivals, Sheffield Steeldogs in the semi-finals and then Hull Seahawks 24 hours later in the final.

SIDELINED: Innes Gallacher saw his season ended by injury in early February. Picture: Kev Bland/Knights Media

“That was just brilliant to be there for that,” he added. “Given all the crap that we’d been through last season, there was just a lot of satisfaction at being able to end the season that way.

“Last season was such a hard, long road for everybody.”

Gallacher’s own ‘long road’ to recovery still has some way to run, with early November the rough date that he and his doctors have circled on the calendar for his return to competitive action.

Currently back home in Prestwick, Scotland, Gallacher has been back skating for some time and is hoovering up as much ice time as he possibly can in order to aid his recovery - even travelling as far as Dundee just to get back out there.

But while the obvious temptation with long-term injuries is to try and be back sooner rather than later, Gallacher has always kept one eye on the bigger picture.

“It's definitely changed my perspective on things,” he added. “I mean, everything's feeling good but it's a long road and you definitely don't want to rush it. I’m just taking it a day at a time, but I obviously can’t wait to get back out there.”

Head coach Ryan Aldridge insisted the return of Gallacher for 2026-27 was a no-brainer.

“This one has been done for a while - an absolute must-have,” said Alrdidge. “Innes was having another great year last year before his injury.

“He is a big powerful player who knows where the net is. He is another key part to our team and locker room and I can’t wait to see him back on the ice with the team.”