Free agent forward Stephen Gionta has agreed to a professional tryout (PTO) with the New York Islanders, the team announced on Monday.
Gionta has been a full-time NHL player the past four seasons. (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)
Gionta skated with the Islanders for the first time during an informal skate at Islanders Iceworks in Syosset, New York on Tuesday, and is looking forward to when training camp opens on Sept. 22.
“I’m coming in and looking for an opportunity,” said Gionta, according to Islanders.com’s Cory Wright. “I’m thankful that they (the Islanders) extended the offer and I’ll try to make the most of it.”
Gionta, 32, has played his entire six-year NHL career with the New Jersey Devils, where he skated in 270 games and tallied 15 goals and 35 assists.
Before beginning his professional career, Gionta followed the path of his older brother, Brian, when he played four years at Boston College from 2002 to 2006. After going undrafted, Stephen received a tryout with the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Albany River Rats, and made his debut with the club in 2005-06.
Gionta spent the bulk of the next six seasons in the AHL, but in the last four seasons, he has skated in 257 games with the Devils, including all 82 games in 2015-16. Gionta also added seven points in 24 playoff games during the Devils’ run to the 2012 Stanley Cup Final.
