Posted at: 07/07/2009 5:48 PM | WHEC.com
Updated at: 07/08/2009 5:29 PM
By: Robin De Wind
|
Print Story
Gionta happy to join Canadiens
Greece's Brian Gionta talked today about his move to the Montréal Canadiens. Gionta entered free agency last week just signed a new five-year $25-million dollar deal and is coming to grips with leaving the New Jersey Devils, the team he has spent his entire career with. He says, “It was a tough change but it's a great city to go play hockey and we are excited.”
Brian Gionta now has to learn some French, figure out where he's going to live and sell his house in New Jersey. It will be a much different summer spent at his lake house. “It’s hard to leave. We were coming to grips with it this season that it was a possibility that's how it works but I'll always remember the chances they've given us.”
Gionta made a name for himself with the Devils, the small but speedy right-winger caught the attention of Montréal Coach Jaques Martin. The Canadiens changed the whole face of their organization during free agency. Gionta says he had other offers out west but Montréal was the best fit for his family. “The day was weird for us. My agent called and told us that we had to think about where we wanted to be.”
Gionta, he father of a one and four year old says the Sabres would have been the easy choice but adds he's thrilled at the new opportunity and happy to be wanted. “It would have made things easy on the family but it didn't work out there isn't any hard feelings. Teams have their needs and they didn't have a need you look for who wants you and Montreal made that push.”
For more Rochester, N.Y. news go to our website www.whec.com.
