Coach Gallagher played high school hockey for Belmont Hill, where he learned the game from his father, considered a legendary teacher-coach by the school's alumni, and longtime hockey coach Ken Martin who is among the winningest coaches in high school hockey history. After Belmont Hill, Eddie prepped at Hotchkiss where he considers himself fortunate to have learned from legendary hockey coaches Kosak and Torrey.

Coach Gallagher later played four years at Babson College where he earned a BS in Marketing in 1998. At the conclusion of his senior year, the referees association presented Eddie with the prestigious J. Thom Lawler Award which the EMIHOA gives every year to a DII/III player at the New England Hockey Writers' dinner.

Eddie's wife, Katelynn, is an assistant Lacrosse coach at Mass Maritime. They have 7 children and live in Sandwich.