I think it's a good question! Took me a few minutes to come up with an answer.
I was super hyped up on Galchenyuk. Love him while he was in the O and his rookie season was so exciting. He was super young and made the US world cup team (right?). Had the slickest hands, a great shot, and a good pass and despite average skating ability, had me thinking he was going to be a special player. And then it was all downhill from there.
On the other hand, maybe it was because I was super young but I don't remember the same level of hype for AK46. Probably due to the different level of accessibility of information back then. Quickly fell in love with him. I wish he had been willing to bang more bodies but whenever he did it made me so happy. Amazing shot. I will forever remember the Lucic hit mentioned above.
Also, my favorite hockey memory is definitely spring 2008.
I am in the final half of my 2nd semester of CEGEP, studying hard at the public library on a Saturday morning, I get a phone call from my dad. I don't pick up cause I'm trying to crunch for this psychology test I have on the following Tuesday morning. He calls again, and sends me a text message: "call me now!". So I'm somewhat anxious...is someone sick? did something happen? he knows i'm at the library, I left the house 2 hours ago...
"What's up?
"When is your test?"
"Tuesday morning..."
"ok..so CEGEP is important...you're doing good in your classes right? Almost ready for the test?"
"I'm pretty stressed out to be honest and I have to get back to it."
"You'll have to study in the car, we're going to Boston for game 6, I'm picking you up in 15 minutes"
Tell you what...I did not study in the car ride there! we got to Boston a couple hours before the game. We saw dozens of cars with Habs flags on our way down there.
Of course I was crushed by the result of the game...We lost in overtime, 5-4 I think? After the game, we went to a restaurant next to the TD Garden, to eat before going to the hotel. Guess what? 30 minutes in half the Bruins team walked in. Chara, Lucic, side by side...massive guys. I'm 6 ft 5 and 200lbs (230 now unfortunately haha) and was completely taken aback by their frames. My father asked if I wanted to try and get a picture with them, which I refused.
"You'll regret that later on, regardless of what team they play for, it would be pretty cool"
"I ****ing hate them"
I've changed since then. Much less a Habs fanatic and more of an NHL fanatic nowadays.
The next day, back in Montreal, my father knocks on my bedroom door...
"When is your exam?"
"Tomorrow morning..."
"Start studying now cause we're going to the game tonight"
I've never felt so much electricity at the Bell Centre for a game. AK46 rocked my world that game.
My vote goes to AK46. In part for the memories but I do think he was a more important player than Galchenyuk ever was.
//Sorry for the long post! Brought back some great memories.