Brian Gionta was a highly successful player for Boston College from 1997 to 2001. In his senior season (2000-01), he served as team captain and was a dominant force, leading the nation with 33 goals and tallying 54 points in 43 games. His outstanding performance earned him a top-ten nomination for the Hobey Baker Award and the Hockey East Player of the Year award. Gionta capped off his college career by leading the Eagles to a National Championship. He is also the program’s all-time leading goal scorer.

After college, Gionta went on to have a long and distinguished professional career. Drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 1998, he would win a Stanley Cup with the team in 2003. In 2005-06, he set a franchise record with 48 goals. He later served as captain for both the Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres. Over his 16-season NHL career, he played in over 1,000 games and was the captain for Team USA at the 2018 Winter Olympics.