"Growing up, I think everyone can relate to the Olympics and the magnitude of the Olympics," Gionta said at Citi Field on Monday after the roster was announced during the second intermission of the 2018 Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic. "It's a dream come true."
Gionta, who turns 39 on Jan. 18, has 588 points (289 goals, 299 assists) in 1,006 NHL games. He's a seven-time 20-goal scorer, including 48 in 2005-06 to set the Devils' single-season record. That season, he had an NHL career-best 89 points. He won the Stanley Cup with the Devils in 2003 and was captain of the Sabres from 2014-17.
"It's one thing I haven't been able to accomplish, is an Olympic medal, an Olympic gold medal, so at this point, to be able to go out with that would be unbelievable," Gionta said.
The Rochester, New York, native became an unrestricted free agent following the 2016-17 NHL season. He opted to sign with the practice squad of Rochester, the Sabres' American Hockey League affiliate.
Coach Tony Granato said he knew Gionta was the perfect choice to captain the team.
"Pretty much when he said he wanted to do this," Granato said. "We have plenty of other players who are considered good leaders but not Brian Gionta. We're lucky he's American and we're lucky he was willing to do this for us. You talk about character, you talk about what he's done in the game, you talk about the personality ... there couldn't be a more perfect person for that job."
The 23-man roster included 14 forwards, eight defensemen and one goalie. The United States will add two goalies to the roster in the coming weeks.
