Checking in on a member of one of BC Hockey's favorite families...
AT BC: Stephen Gionta is, of course, the younger brother of BC favorite Brian Gionta. Both Gionta's are known for being small, speedy, and tough. Stephen Gionta played for BC for 4 seasons, from 2002-2006. As a freshman, Gionta played in 33 games and picked up 15 points, as a sophomore he recorded 24 points, and as a junior he picked up 19 points. In his senior season he had 11 goals and 21 assists, placing him in third place for points on that years squad (behind Chris Collins with 63 points and Brian Boyle with 52). In his senior season Gionta also saw an increase in penalty minutes, recording 66 PIM. Notable BC moments include assisting on the game winning goal in the 2002 Dodge Holiday Classic against Bowling Green, scoring a shorthanded GWG against NoDak in 2003, and scoring the GWG in the win that earned the Eagles the 2004 regular-season title. While at BC, Gionta was known for scoring shorthanded goals and maintaining a high plus/minus.
POST-BC: Following the conclusion of the 2005-2006 BC season, Gionta signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Albany River Rats. In Gionta's first professional game he scored a hat trick and recorded an assist, leading Albany to a victory over Springfield. Gionta then played with the Lowell / Albany Devils from 2006 - 2011. Gionta made his NHL debut for the NJ Devils on November 5, 2010, and continued to bounce between the AHL and NHL until the 2012-13 season, when he played most of the season in the NHL. Although Brian Gionta played many seasons for the Devils, he was in Montreal by the time Stephen made his NHL debut.
Stephen Gionta scored his first NHL goal on April 7, 2012 - it was the game winning goal in NJ's win over Ottawa. Since the 2013-14 season, Gionta has played exclusively in the NHL.
THIS SEASON: Gionta has played in 29 games for the Devils this season, recording one goal and three assists. Gionta has also recorded 25 penalty minutes, putting him second in PIM on the Devils after Jordin Tootoo. Gionta was fined for spearing Mark Borowiecki earlier this season, which got him a lot of attention (just not the good kind). Gionta has been playing more minutes lately, as the Devils have lost a few forwards to injuries, and will hopefully begin to produce some more offense. Gionta's first goal of the season came earlier this month in a 5-1 win over Carolina. He played in his 200th NHL game on November 3rd.