The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Ex-Sabre, Devil Gionta retires
BUFFALO, N.Y. — At a mere 5-foot-7, Brian Gionta knew the odds would be long at getting an opportunity to play in the NHL some 20 years ago after being drafted by the New Jersey Devils.
“I never thought it would have lasted as long as it did,” Gionta said. “I went into it hoping I could play one NHL game.”
Little did Gionta know how far off he’d be in his initial expectations regarding his lack of size.
At 39, Gionta formally announced his retirement on Monday in closing a 16-year NHL career in which he played 1,026 regularseason games, plus another 113 in the playoffs.
The highlights included him winning a Stanley Cup with the 2003 Devils, captaining the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres, as well as representing the United States at two Winter Olympics.
Gionta isn’t leaving hockey entirely. Though he intends to spend more time with his family, Gionta said he has accepted a yet-to-be-defined role as a developmental coach with the Sabres on a part-time basis.
Gionta is from nearby Rochester, N.Y., and has made his home in Buffalo since spending the 2014-15 to 2016-17 seasons with the Sabres.
“I still wanted to be a part of the game and wanted to be a part of the organization,” he said. “I’m fortunate that I’m walking away from the game into something even better, and that’s being part of my kids growing up, coaching them and being there for them.”
The role as father and part-time coach isn’t unfamiliar to Gionta after he got a taste of it last year.
In committing to represent the United States at the Pyeongchang Games, he spent time practicing with Buffalo’s American Hockey League affiliate in Rochester. The Sabres also had him take part in their rookie development camp this past summer.
Overall, he finishes a career in which he had 291 goals and 595 points. He ranks 38th among American-born players in games played, and 41st in points.