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SPORTS Tuesday 25 sepTember 2018
Ex-Sabres captain Brian Gionta retires after 16 NHL seasons

By JOHN WAWROW, AP States at two Winter Olym- the United States at the
Hockey Writer pics. Pyeongchang Games, he
BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — At a Gionta isn't leaving hockey spent time practicing with
mere 5-foot-7, Brian Gionta entirely. Buffalo's American Hockey
knew the odds would be Though he intends to spend League affiliate in Roches-
long at getting an opportu- more time with his family, ter. The Sabres also had him
nity to play in the NHL some Gionta said he has accept- take part in their rookie de-
20 years ago after being ed a yet-to-be-defined role velopment camp this past
drafted by the New Jersey as a developmental coach summer.
Devils. with the Sabres on a part- Gionta is retiring after giv-
"I never thought it would time basis. ing the NHL one last try
have lasted as long as it Gionta is from nearby following the Olympics. In
did," Gionta said. "I went Rochester, New York, and February, he signed with
into it hoping I could play has made his home in Buf- Boston , where he had two
one NHL game." falo since spending the goals and seven assists in
Little did Gionta know how 2014-15 to 2016-17 seasons 21 games, including one in
far off he'd be in his initial with the Sabres. the playoffs.
expectations regarding his "I still wanted to be a part of Overall, he finishes a ca- In this Feb. 6, 2016, file photo, Buffalo Sabres' Brian Gionta is
lack of size. the game and wanted to reer in which he had 291 shown during the first period of an NHL hockey game against
At 39, Gionta formally an- be a part of the organiza- goals and 595 points. He the Boston Bruins, in Boston.
nounced his retirement on tion," he said. "I'm fortunate ranks 38th among Ameri- Associated Press
Monday in closing a 16- that I'm walking away from can-born players in games
year NHL career in which the game into something played, and 41st in points. was significant in knowing played college.
he played 1,026 regular- even better, and that's be- Gionta also earned the re- the franchise hasn't always Gionta was particularly
season games, plus anoth- ing part of my kids growing spect of many of his former offered the C to an Ameri- grateful to current New
er 113 in the playoffs. up, coaching them and teammates in Buffalo, with can, who doesn't speak York Islanders general
The highlights included him being there for them." a number of them attend- French. manager Lou Lamoriello,
winning a Stanley Cup with The role as father and part- ing the news conference. And then there was the who held the same role in
the 2003 Devils, captaining time coach isn't unfamiliar He described winning a opportunity to play for the New Jersey, when the Dev-
the Montreal Canadiens to Gionta after he got a championship as "a dream Sabres, the team he grew ils selected him in the third
and Buffalo Sabres, as well taste of it last year. come true." up following, and end his round of the 1998 draft out
as representing the United In committing to represent Captaining the Canadiens career in Boston, where he of Boston College.q