One year ago Brian Gionta took the ice in his final season as the Sabres captain. Today the Greece, NY native skated with the Rochester Americans on a practice only basis.
The current goal for Gionta is to stay in shape and compete in this coming Winter Olympic games in Pyeongchang, which are less than four months away. Gionta took part in the Olympics for team USA in 2006 but couldn’t take home a medal after his team fell short in the quarterfinals against Finland. While the the NHL door has not necessarily closed for the little guy with the big heart, it is definitely his last chance to add an Olympic medal to his list of accolades.
Brian Gionta at his first #Amerks practice. pic.twitter.com/IaKij6koaE
— Rochester Americans (@AmerksHockey) October 10, 2017
When Free Agency started the 15-year veteran was hopeful to sign with an NHL team, but as of now it looks like 1,118 NHL games (including playoffs) will be the final number for a player who became a fan favorite wherever he went. Fans in New Jersey, Montreal and Buffalo would love to see the scrappy right winger close out his playing career with a gold medal around his neck.