Eastern Conference Eye Candy: Brian Gionta (Montreal Canadiens)

HOCKEY FACTOR:

Brian Gionta learned how to skate when his mother decided to teach all three of her boys one winter

Brian Gionta played hockey in high school for the Aquinas Institute then went on to play for Boston College (1997-2001) helping them win a National Championship in his senior season (while leading the nation in goal scoring with 33 goals).

Despite his modest size at 5' 7" and 173 pounds (he is the second to the shortest player in the NHL - former HftL's ECEC Nathan Gerbe beats him by a mere two inches at 5' 5"), he is often described as "tenacious" as a player which more than makes up for anything he "lacks" in size (they're BOTH taller than I am!).  From the Montreal Canadiens webpage:

Short jokes? Gionta has heard them all over the years and the speedy winger isn’t about to let the haters get to him now.

“I’ve dealt with that my whole life,” shrugged the 5-foot-7 Gionta. “It’s really nothing new and nothing to worry about.”

That is unless you’re an opposing defenseman trying to catch him.

In the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, the New Jersey Devils drafted Gionta in the third round (82nd overall).  He began playing for New Jersey in 2001-02 splitting his first season between the AHL and NHL roster and ultimately playing in the NHL from then on (and helped the Devils win a Stanley Cup in the 2002-03 season) until he signed a five-year / $25 million contract with the Montreal Canadiens in July 2009 and was later named Montreal's captain on September 29, 2010.

During his NHL career, Gionta earned his 200th goal (February 9, 2011), 400th point (April 2, 2011), earned his 200th assist (November 5, 2011), played in his 600th game (March 5, 2011), and was the only Canadien player to take part in all 82 games in the 2010-11 season; he recently earned his 100th point with the Canadiens also on November 5, 2011.

HOTNESS FACTOR:
Gionta is an American-born player who grew up in Greece (suburb of Rochester), NY with his mom (Penny), dad (Sam), younger brother (Stephen), and older brother (Joe).  His dad owns a hardware store (where Brian still works in the off-season) while his mom worked as a dental hygienist.  His parents still live in Rochester. 

Both of Brian's brothers are / have been involved with hockey.  Stephen played college hockey for Boston College before going on to sign an amateur tryout contract for the New Jersey Devils AHL affiliate in 2006 (and continues to play in the NJ system).  His brother Joe only played in high school at the Aquina Institute graduating in 1994.

"Watching Brian do amazing things in the N.H.L. definitely inspired me and opened my eyes and the eyes of a lot of smaller players," Stephen Gionta said. "He showed us that it doesn't matter how small you are. The only thing that really matters is how big your heart is."

Brian's middle name is Joseph (as is his son's); is nicknamed "Gio" by his teammates and "the Rochester Rocket" by the media.  He admits to eating chicken, pasta, and vanilla ice cream on game days.

Brian is married to wife, Harvest.  The couple met in high school when he was a freshman and she was a senior (after having the nerve to ask her out on a date).  They have two children; a son, Adam Joseph (pictured below), and a daughter, Leah.

Gionta's wife (Harvest), Brian, and son (Adam)
(not sure who the other people are)

Information found in this post obtained from the following sites:

Brian Gionta Wikipedia
Montreal Candadiens Player Page - Gionta
What is "G"?
Munchkin Is Big With the Devils