Brian Gionta
Encyclopedia
Brian Joseph Gionta is an American professional ice hockey
player and captain
of the Montreal Canadiens
of the National Hockey League
(NHL), and is the second American-born captain of the Canadiens and its first sole American-born captain (the first, Chris Chelios
, was a co-captain with Guy Carbonneau
). He goes by the nickname "Gio" from his teammates and The Rochester Rocket, dubbed by the media. Although small in stature compared to most other players (Gionta is currently the second-shortest player in the NHL; Nathan Gerbe
is two inches shorter), he is known for his tenacious play.
in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft
. The diminutive but fiery forward
attended high school at the Aquinas Institute
in Rochester, NY, then skated for Boston College
from 1997 to 2001, winning a National Championship as Eagles captain in the 2000–2001 season. He was mentored by current Florida Panthers
forward Marty Reasoner
; also a Rochester, NY native; and enjoyed his best statistical season in his freshman year on a line with Reasoner, posting 30 goals and 62 points in 40 games as the Eagles fell to the University of Michigan
in the National Championship game in Boston.
Gionta followed up with a 60 point season his sophomore year as BC was eliminated by Hockey East
rival, the University of Maine
in the Frozen Four semifinals, then a 33 goal, 56 point season in his junior year as the Eagles fell to North Dakota in that year's National Championship game.
In his senior season as captain, Gionta's point total dipped again to 54 points, however, a roster stocked with future NHL talent produced a National Championship as Boston College defeated North Dakota
, 3–2 in overtime in Albany, New York. During his senior season he led the nation in goal scoring with 33 goals, including a spectacular performance against the University of Maine, in which he scored 5 Goals on his first 5 shots.
His brother, Stephen
, played for Boston College and helped distinguish the Eagles as one of the best college hockey teams in the nation; Stephen signed an amateur tryout contract with the Albany River Rats, the Devils' farm team, in April 2006. Stephen is still playing for the Devils affiliate, now the Albany Devils
.
Brian has played 310 games for New Jersey, plus 50 playoff games. He was a member of the 2002–03 Stanley Cup
championship team. He played for their affiliate, the Albany River Rats
of the American Hockey League
(AHL) during the 2004–2005 lockout. He was part of the 2006 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team that competed in Turin, Italy.
Listed at 5'7" Brian Gionta is one of the shortest players currently playing in the National Hockey League. He has enjoyed great success from the second half of the 2003–2004 season up until present day. He was one third of the Devils' "EGG" line, playing right wing for linemates Patrik Eliáš
and Scott Gomez
.
Gionta was one of the Devils' most effective offensive players, despite his small stature. Gionta is effective because he "crashes the net". On March 28, 2006, Gionta became the first Devils player to reach 40 goals in a season since Patrik Eliáš
and Alexander Mogilny
each reached the mark in the 2000–01 season. On the last game of the season, he broke Pat Verbeek
's franchise record for goals in a season, finishing with 48. He also currently holds the franchise all-time power play goal scoring record in a season with 24.
On October 27, 2007, Gionta scored the first Devils' goal in the history of the Prudential Center in the 2nd period of a 4–1 loss to Ottawa.
On July 1, 2009, Gionta signed a 5-year contract for $25 Million with the Montreal Canadiens. This has reunited him with former Devils' teammate Scott Gomez
.
He was named the Canadiens' captain on September 29, 2010.
, who plays in the New Jersey Devils system. He also has an older brother Joe, who also played for the Aquinas Institute Hockey Team and graduated in 1994. His parents still reside in Rochester, NY
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
player and captain
Captain (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, each team can designate an official captain for each game. The player serving as captain during the game wears a "C" on his or her jersey...
of the Montreal Canadiens
Montreal Canadiens
The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ...
of the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
(NHL), and is the second American-born captain of the Canadiens and its first sole American-born captain (the first, Chris Chelios
Chris Chelios
Christos Kostas Tselios is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman. He is currently the Executive Advisor to Ken Holland, the general manager of the Detroit Red Wings, a role that Steve Yzerman held before leaving to become general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning.Chelios played...
, was a co-captain with Guy Carbonneau
Guy Carbonneau
Guy Carbonneau is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League. He is also the president of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League 's Chicoutimi Saguenéens. He has two daughters Anne-Marie and Kristina, with wife Line Carbonneau. Anne-Marie married his former...
). He goes by the nickname "Gio" from his teammates and The Rochester Rocket, dubbed by the media. Although small in stature compared to most other players (Gionta is currently the second-shortest player in the NHL; Nathan Gerbe
Nathan Gerbe
Nathan David Gerbe is an American ice hockey player currently playing for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League...
is two inches shorter), he is known for his tenacious play.
Playing career
Gionta was drafted 82nd overall by the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey Devils
The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft
1998 NHL Entry Draft
The 1998 NHL Entry Draft was held on June 27 at the Marine Midland Arena in Buffalo, New York. A total of 258 players were drafted.- Selections by round :Club teams are located in North America unless otherwise noted.- Round one :- Round two :...
. The diminutive but fiery forward
attended high school at the Aquinas Institute
Aquinas Institute
The Aquinas Institute is a co educational catholic school Rochester, New York established in 1902. Aquinas Institute was founded as an all boys christian academy, but became an co-educational school in 1982. It is located within City of Rochester. It has stood at its current location on Dewey...
in Rochester, NY, then skated for Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
from 1997 to 2001, winning a National Championship as Eagles captain in the 2000–2001 season. He was mentored by current Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are a professional ice hockey team based in Sunrise, Florida, in the Miami metropolitan area. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their games at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise and are the...
forward Marty Reasoner
Marty Reasoner
Martin Reasoner, is an American professional ice hockey center for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League . He has also played for the St. Louis Blues, Edmonton Oilers, Boston Bruins, Florida Panthers and Atlanta Thrashers...
; also a Rochester, NY native; and enjoyed his best statistical season in his freshman year on a line with Reasoner, posting 30 goals and 62 points in 40 games as the Eagles fell to the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
in the National Championship game in Boston.
Gionta followed up with a 60 point season his sophomore year as BC was eliminated by Hockey East
Hockey East
Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
rival, the University of Maine
University of Maine
The University of Maine is a public research university located in Orono, Maine, United States. The university was established in 1865 as a land grant college and is referred to as the flagship university of the University of Maine System...
in the Frozen Four semifinals, then a 33 goal, 56 point season in his junior year as the Eagles fell to North Dakota in that year's National Championship game.
In his senior season as captain, Gionta's point total dipped again to 54 points, however, a roster stocked with future NHL talent produced a National Championship as Boston College defeated North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
, 3–2 in overtime in Albany, New York. During his senior season he led the nation in goal scoring with 33 goals, including a spectacular performance against the University of Maine, in which he scored 5 Goals on his first 5 shots.
His brother, Stephen
Stephen Gionta
Stephen Gionta is an American ice hockey left wing, currently playing for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
, played for Boston College and helped distinguish the Eagles as one of the best college hockey teams in the nation; Stephen signed an amateur tryout contract with the Albany River Rats, the Devils' farm team, in April 2006. Stephen is still playing for the Devils affiliate, now the Albany Devils
Albany Devils
The Albany Devils are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League , founded in 2010. The top AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League 's New Jersey Devils, the team has as its home the Times Union Center in Albany, New York...
.
Brian has played 310 games for New Jersey, plus 50 playoff games. He was a member of the 2002–03 Stanley Cup
Stanley Cup
The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
championship team. He played for their affiliate, the Albany River Rats
Albany River Rats
The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :...
of the American Hockey League
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
(AHL) during the 2004–2005 lockout. He was part of the 2006 U.S. Men's Olympic Hockey team that competed in Turin, Italy.
Listed at 5'7" Brian Gionta is one of the shortest players currently playing in the National Hockey League. He has enjoyed great success from the second half of the 2003–2004 season up until present day. He was one third of the Devils' "EGG" line, playing right wing for linemates Patrik Eliáš
Patrik Elias
Patrik Eliáš is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . A long-time Devil and currently the team's longest-tenured skater, Eliáš is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most...
and Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
.
Gionta was one of the Devils' most effective offensive players, despite his small stature. Gionta is effective because he "crashes the net". On March 28, 2006, Gionta became the first Devils player to reach 40 goals in a season since Patrik Eliáš
Patrik Elias
Patrik Eliáš is a Czech professional hockey left winger and alternate captain for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League . A long-time Devil and currently the team's longest-tenured skater, Eliáš is the franchise's all-time leading scorer, while also holding franchise records for most...
and Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Mogilny
Alexander Gennadevitch Mogilny is a former Russian professional ice hockey player, currently the team consultant of the KHL team Amur Khabarovsk. Mogilny was best known for his lightning quick speed and lethal wrist shot in his early years, which led to his career year of 76 goals in the 1992–93...
each reached the mark in the 2000–01 season. On the last game of the season, he broke Pat Verbeek
Pat Verbeek
Patrick Verbeek is a Canadian former ice hockey player who played for the New Jersey Devils, Hartford Whalers, New York Rangers, Dallas Stars, and Detroit Red Wings during his career...
's franchise record for goals in a season, finishing with 48. He also currently holds the franchise all-time power play goal scoring record in a season with 24.
On October 27, 2007, Gionta scored the first Devils' goal in the history of the Prudential Center in the 2nd period of a 4–1 loss to Ottawa.
On July 1, 2009, Gionta signed a 5-year contract for $25 Million with the Montreal Canadiens. This has reunited him with former Devils' teammate Scott Gomez
Scott Gomez
Scott Carlos Gomez is an American ice hockey center of both Mexican and Colombian descent, currently playing for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
.
He was named the Canadiens' captain on September 29, 2010.
Personal
Gionta is the middle child of Sam and Penny Gionta. He and his wife, Harvest, have a son, Adam and daughter Leah. He also has a brother, Stephen GiontaStephen Gionta
Stephen Gionta is an American ice hockey left wing, currently playing for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League...
, who plays in the New Jersey Devils system. He also has an older brother Joe, who also played for the Aquinas Institute Hockey Team and graduated in 1994. His parents still reside in Rochester, NY
Awards
- 1993–94: Rookie of the Year (Aquinas InstituteAquinas InstituteThe Aquinas Institute is a co educational catholic school Rochester, New York established in 1902. Aquinas Institute was founded as an all boys christian academy, but became an co-educational school in 1982. It is located within City of Rochester. It has stood at its current location on Dewey...
) - 1997–98: All-Rookie Team (Hockey EastHockey EastHockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference....
) - 1997–98: Second All-Star Team (Hockey East)
- 1997–98: Rookie of the Year (Hockey East)
- 1997–98: East Second All-American Team (NCAANational Collegiate Athletic AssociationThe National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
) - 1998–99: First All-Star Team (Hockey East)
- 1998–99: East First All-American Team (NCAA)
- 1999: All-Star Selection, Forward, 1999 IIHF world junior hockey championships
- 1999–00: First All-Star Team (Hockey East)
- 1999–00: East First All-American Team (NCAA)
- 2000–01: First All-Star Team (Hockey East)
- 2000–01: Walter Brown Award New England's Outstanding American-born College player. Shared with Ty ConklinTy ConklinTy Curtis Conklin is an American professional ice hockey goaltender currently with the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
(NCAA) - 2000–01: East First All-American Team (NCAA)
- 2000–01: Player of the Year (Hockey East)
- 2002–03: Stanley CupStanley CupThe Stanley Cup is an ice hockey club trophy, awarded annually to the National Hockey League playoffs champion after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup Finals. It has been referred to as The Cup, Lord Stanley's Cup, The Holy Grail, or facetiously as Lord Stanley's Mug...
– New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
(NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
)
Records
- New Jersey Devils record for most goals in a season (48 in 2005–06)
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Season (sports) In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an... |
Team | League | GP | G Goal (ice hockey) In ice hockey, a goal is scored when the puck completely crosses the goal line between the two goal posts and below the goal crossbar. A goal awards one point to the team attacking the goal scored upon, regardless of which team the player who actually deflected the puck into the goal belongs to... |
A Assist (ice hockey) In ice hockey, an assist is attributed to up to two players of the scoring team who shot, passed or deflected the puck towards the scoring teammate, or touched it in any other way which enabled the goal, meaning that they were "assisting" in the goal. There can be a maximum of two assists per goal... |
Pts Point (ice hockey) Point in ice hockey has three official meanings:* A point is awarded to a player for each goal scored or assist earned. The total number of goals plus assists equals total points. In some European leagues, a goal counts as two points, and an assist counts as one... |
PIM Penalty (ice hockey) A penalty in ice hockey is a punishment for inappropriate behavior. Most penalties are enforced by detaining the offending player within a penalty box for a set number of minutes, during which, the player can not participate in play. The offending team usually may not replace the player on the ice,... |
GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1997–98 | Boston College Eagles Boston College Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early... |
HE Hockey East Hockey East Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey conference which operates in New England. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference.... |
40 | 30 | 32 | 62 | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1998–99 | Boston College Eagles | HE | 39 | 27 | 33 | 60 | 46 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1999–00 | Boston College Eagles | HE | 42 | 33 | 23 | 56 | 66 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Boston College Eagles | HE | 43 | 33 | 21 | 54 | 47 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 2001–02 AHL season The 2001–02 AHL season was the 66th season of the American Hockey League. It was the season of the biggest growth in the AHL's history, as it accepted eight new teams. The demise of the International Hockey League brought six teams transferring from the defunct league, in addition to two expansion... |
Albany River Rats Albany River Rats The Albany River Rats were an ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They played in Albany, New York at the Times Union Center.- Founding to 2010 :... |
AHL American Hockey League The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League... |
37 | 9 | 16 | 25 | 18 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | New Jersey Devils New Jersey Devils The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League... |
NHL National Hockey League The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States... |
33 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 58 | 12 | 13 | 25 | 23 | 24 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 6 | ||
| 2003–04 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 75 | 21 | 8 | 29 | 36 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2004–05 2004–05 AHL season The 2004–05 AHL season was the 69th season of the American Hockey League. Twenty-eight teams played 80 games each in the schedule. The Rochester Americans finished first overall in the regular season... |
Albany River Rats | AHL | 15 | 5 | 7 | 12 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2005–06 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 48 | 41 | 89 | 46 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 62 | 25 | 20 | 45 | 36 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 4 | ||
| 2007–08 | New Jersey Devils | NHL | 82 | 22 | 31 | 53 | 46 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 2008–09 NHL season The 2008–09 NHL season was the 92nd season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the first season since prior to the 2004–05 lockout in which every team played each other at least once during the season, following three seasons where teams only played against two divisions in the... |
New Jersey Devils | NHL | 81 | 20 | 40 | 60 | 32 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 4 | ||
| 2009–10 2009–10 NHL season The 2009–10 NHL season was the 93rd season of operation of the National Hockey League , and the 100th season since the founding of the predecessor National Hockey Association . It ran from October 1, 2009, including four games in Europe on October 2 and 3—until April 11, 2010, with the 2010... |
Montreal Canadiens Montreal Canadiens The Montreal Canadiens are a professional ice hockey team based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The club is officially known as ... |
NHL | 61 | 28 | 18 | 46 | 26 | 19 | 9 | 6 | 15 | 14 | ||
| 2010–11 2010–11 NHL season The 2010–11 NHL season was the 94th season of operation of the National Hockey League . It was the fourth consecutive season that opened in Europe with NHL Premiere . A record three events were scheduled, all in previous NHL Premiere cities: Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; and Prague, Czech... |
Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 29 | 17 | 46 | 24 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| NHL totals | 616 | 209 | 195 | 404 | 277 | 93 | 31 | 29 | 60 | 32 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Comp | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 1998 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships - Quarterfinals :- Semifinals :- Placement games :- 7th place game :- 5th place game :- Bronze medal game :- Gold medal game :- Relegation round : lost the two game total goal series 17-3 and was relegated for the 1999 World Juniors... |
United States | WJC World Junior Ice Hockey Championships The International Ice Hockey Federation World Under 20 Championship is an annual event organized by the International Ice Hockey Federation for national under-20 ice hockey teams from around the world... |
7 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 0 |
| 1999 1999 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships -Quarterfinals:-Semifinals:-5th place game:-Bronze medal game:-Gold medal game:-Final ranking:-Scoring leaders:-Pool B:Played at Szekesfehervar and Dunaujvaros, Hungary from December 27 to January 3. Two groups of four played round robins, and then the top three played each of the top three teams... |
United States | WJC | 6 | 6 | 5 | 11 | 6 |
| 2000 2000 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -World Championship Group A :Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2001# -World Championship Group B :... |
United States | WC | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2001 2001 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships -Championship:Final standings# # # # # # # # # # # # # # — relegated to Division I for 2002# — relegated to Division I for 2002# - Group A :Group A was played in Grenoble, France between April 16 and April 22, 2001... |
United States | WC | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| 2005 2005 Men's World Ice Hockey Championships The 2005 Men's Ice Hockey Championships were held March 7 - May 15, 2005, in 7 cities in 6 countries: Vienna and Innsbruck, Austria ; Debrecen, Hungary ; Eindhoven, the Netherlands ; Zagreb, Croatia ; Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro ; Mexico City, Mexico... |
United States | WC | 7 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 2006 Ice hockey at the 2006 Winter Olympics -Leading scorers:-Leading goaltenders:Goalkeepers with 40% or more of their team's total minutes.-Awards:Antero Niittymäki was named the most valuable player and received the Directorate Award for best goaltender of the tournament. Directorate Awards also went to Teemu Selänne for best forward, and... |
United States | OG 2006 Winter Olympics The 2006 Winter Olympics, officially known as the XX Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event which was celebrated in Turin, Italy from February 10, 2006, through February 26, 2006. This marked the second time Italy hosted the Olympic Winter Games, the first being the VII Olympic Winter... |
6 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| Junior int'l totals | 13 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 6 | ||
| Senior int'l totals | 29 | 10 | 2 | 12 | 16 | ||