Written by LadyE, AllHabs.net

MONTREAL, QC. — Hockey is a warrior sport.

Legend has it the greatest warriors in history are the Spartans: the mighty 300. The greatest hockey warriors in history are the Montreal Canadiens: the mighty 20.

The Habs 20 have beaten the best in the NHL for a record 24 Stanley Cups.

The Spartans fought for their land, were proud of their heritage, and sure of their allegiance. The Habs too have great traditions – a deep understanding that red, white, and blue are not just colours, C and H aren’t just letters. They are symbols of Montreal life.

No warriors, whether on the fields of Sparta or on the ice of the Bell Centre, win battles without great leaders.

The 300 fought battle after battle severely outnumbered, yet persevered because of a great leader Leonidas. Leonidas means ‘of a lion’. The Habs have their own lion. He wears No. 26.

King Leonidas cried out “War! War! War!” when taking his 300 into battle. Josh Gorges when asked what his greatest joy is in hockey struck a similar battle cry.

“To be on the ice in the last minute with a one goal lead, blocking shots, diving with all your heart, and then the final horn sounds and know we’ve all done it together, that is the greatest feeling I can have playing hockey.” — Josh Gorges

Leonidas would be proud: heart, togetherness, sacrifice. Josh Gorges gets it. He may not be a giant of a man, but if measured by the size of his heart, he, like Leonidas, is a King!

Gorges shed blood when a shot to the back of the head dented his helmet, yet there he was the next day at practice defying orders to stay home. Josh played seven years with a detached ACL, and never complained. He had to be convinced to shut it down for surgery even after it locked on Long Island ice.

A true leader who never runs from criticism, Gorges meets the media, and stands up on behalf of his mates when times are toughest.

The hockey stick, his sword. His body, Price’s shield. His body checks, a spear in his opponents side. Josh Gorges is a warrior.

And as a warrior, No. 26 has but one goal: 25.