Brian Gionta

**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.

## Infobox (ice hockey player)

- **image**: Brian Gionta - Buffalo Sabres.jpg
- **caption**: Gionta during his time with the Buffalo Sabres on April 5, 2016
- **position**: Winger (ice hockey), Right wing
- **shoots**: Right
- **birth place**: Rochester, New York, Rochester, New York (state), New York
- **height ft**: 5
- **height in**: 7
- **weight lb**: 178
- **league**: National Hockey League, NHL
- **played for**: New Jersey Devils
Montreal Canadiens
Buffalo Sabres
Boston Bruins
- **ntl team**: USA
- **draft**: 82nd overall
- **draft year**: 1998
- **draft team**: New Jersey Devils
- **career start**: 2001
- **career end**: 2018