Brian Gionta
Brian Joseph Gionta (born January 18, 1979) 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 (the first being Chris Chelios). He goes by the nickname "Gio" from his teammates.Gionta was drafted 82nd overall by the New Jersey Devils in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. The diminutive but fiery forward attended high school at the Aquinas Institute in Rochester, NY, then skated forBoston College from 1997 to 2001, winning a National Championship as Eagles captain in the 2000–2001 season. He was mentored by current Atlanta Thrashers 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 Michiganin 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.Listed at 5'7" Brian Gionta is the second-shortest player currently playing in the National Hockey League (Nathan Gerbe of the Buffalo Sabres is listed at 5'5"). 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.
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.Listed at 5'7" Brian Gionta is the second-shortest player currently playing in the National Hockey League (Nathan Gerbe of the Buffalo Sabres is listed at 5'5"). 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.
