team, the Buffalo Sabres, for $4.25 million per year. On October 7, 2014, Gionta was named captain of the Sabres, Becoming the first New York native to be named to the position. Gionta played in his 1,000th NHL game on March 27, 2017 against the Florida Panthers in Buffalo. Boston Bruins On February 25, 2018, Gionta signed a one-year, $700,000 contract for the remainder of the season with the Boston Bruins. Retirement Gionta announced his retirement on September 24, 2018, and revealed that he had joined the Sabres as a development coach. In January 2023, Niagara University announced that Gionta would join their D1 hockey team’s coaching staff as the Director of Player Development. International play The Sabres opted not to re-sign Gionta in the 2017 offseason after reacquiring Jason Pominville in a trade. The Sabres' owned-and-operated American Hockey League club, the Rochester Americans, signed Gionta to their practice squad on October 9, 2017. Since the practice-only contract is not with the NHL, Gionta was able to participate in the Winter Olympics, following the NHL's announcement not to accommodate an Olympic break due to financial disputes with the IOC. Gionta was officially named to Team USA's pre-Olympic roster on October 18, 2017. Gionta has since been named USA team captain. Gionta admitted turning down NHL offers to participate in the Olympics and intends to re-sign with the league after the Olympics end. On January 29, 2018, the Americans upgraded Gionta's practice-squad contract to a one-game professional tryout contract, allowing him to play the Americans February 2, 2018 game against the Toronto Marlies before leaving for the Olympics. Gionta scored a goal in the game but the Americans lost 4-2. Personal life Gionta is the middle child of Sam and Penny Gionta. He and his wife, Harvest, have three children. Gionta has a brother, Stephen, who played for the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders. He also has an older brother Joe, who also played for the Aquinas Institute Hockey Team and graduated in 1994. Brian Gionta has a home in the Rochester, New York area where his parents still reside. Records New Jersey Devils record for most goals in a season (48 in 2005–06) Career statistics Regular season and playoffs International Awards and honors Notes 1: Michael Cammalleri had previously scored the 20,000th goal in Canadiens' franchise history in 2009. Cammalleri's mark included the Canadiens time in the National