Brian Gionta

Brian Gionta
Gionta during his time with the Buffalo Sabres on April 5, 2016
Born (1979-01-18) January 18, 1979 (age 47)
Rochester, New York
Height 5 ft 7 in (170 cm)
Weight 178 lb (81 kg; 12 st 10 lb)
Position Right wing
Shot Right
Played for New Jersey Devils
Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
Boston Bruins
National team  United States
NHL draft 82nd overall, 1998
New Jersey Devils
Playing career 2001–2018

Brian Joseph Gionta (born January 18, 1979) is an American former professional ice hockey right winger. He played parts of 16 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). He played for the New Jersey Devils, Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, and Boston Bruins.

Gionta is a one-time Stanley Cup champion, winning with the Devils in 2003. Internationally, Gionta played for United States. He played for them at the 2006 and 2018 Winter Olympics.

Career

Before playing in the NHL, Gionta played parts of four years with the Boston College Eagles of Hockey East. He had a successful time with the Eagles. He finished his rookie season, scoring 30 goals and recording 32 assists for 62 points in 40 games. For his performance, he was named the All-Hockey East Rookie Team, Hockey East Rookie of the Year, All-Hockey East Second Team, and AHCA East Second-Team All-American.

He was drafted 82nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 NHL entry draft. On December 30, 2001, Gionta made his NHL debut in a 2–1 win against the Edmonton Oilers. On January 3, 2002, Gionta scored his first NHL goal against Tomáš Vokoun in a 4–3 loss against the Nashville Predators. He helped the Devils during that playoffs, defeating the Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ottawa Senators. They defeated the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim four games to three in the Finals to win the Stanley Cup. On August 12, 2005, Gionta signed a one-year contract to stay with the Devils. Gionta finished the 2005–06 season by scoring 48 goals and recording 41 assists for 89 points in 82 games. This was a new career-high for him and he also broke Pat Verbeek's Devil record for most goals in a season. On October 3, 2006, Gionta signed a three-year, $4 million contract to stay with the Devils.

On July 1, 2009, Gionta signed a five-year, $25 million contract to join the Montreal Canadiens. On September 29, 2010, the Canadiens named Gionta as the team's next captain. He played parts of five seasons with the Canadiens.

On July 1, 2014, Gionta signed a three-year, $12.75 million contract to join the Buffalo Sabres. On October 7, the Sabres named Gionta as their next team captain. By doing this, Gionta became the first player from New York to be named captain. On March 27, 2017, Gionta played in his 1,000 NHL game, scoring against James Reimer in a 4–2 win against the Florida Panthers.

On February 25, 2018, Gionta signed a one-year, $700,000 contract to join the Boston Bruins. He scored 2 goals and recorded 5 assists for 7 points in 20 regular season games for the Bruins.

On September 24, 2018, Gionta announced hat he was retiring from playing professional ice hockey. He later joined the Buffalo Sabres as a development coach.

Personal life

Gionta's younger brother Stephen also played parts of 8 seasons in the NHL with the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders.

References

  1. ↑ "Gionta overcame doubters on way to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  2. ↑ "New Jersey Devils - Nashville Predators - Jan 3, 2002". National Hockey League. Retrieved January 22, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Reliving Game 7 of the 2003 Stanley Cup Final, the Devils' defining moment". The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  4. ↑ "Devs Get Busy With Rash of Signings". New York Post. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  5. ↑ "Record's No Worry to Gionta". New York Post. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Devils Re-Sign Gionta". The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Habs sign Brian Gionta to a 5-year deal". Montreal Canadiens. Archived from the original on August 12, 2011. Retrieved January 26, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  8. ↑ "Canadiens name Gionta 28th captain". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  9. ↑ "Gionta Signs Three-Year Contract". Buffalo Sabres. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  10. ↑ "Gionta Named Sabres Captain". Buffalo Sabres. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved January 26, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  11. ↑ "Gionta scores in 1000th game, Sabres beat Panthers 4-2". New Jersey Herald. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Bruins Sign Brian Gionta To One-Year Contract". Boston Bruins. Archived from the original on October 1, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Brian Gionta announces retirement after 16 NHL seasons". Sportsnet. Retrieved January 26, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Stephen Gionta, Career Minor Leaguer, Clicks With Devils". The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2026.

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