 Following in the footsteps of his brother, Hobie Baker award winner and NHL player Brian Gionta, senior Stephen Gionta will be looked to for leadership as an assistant captain and for scoring punch on a depleted front line.
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Sam Gionta was done eating his breakfast, his teeth were brushed, and his day was ahead of him.
It was some time around 8 a.m. on any given day this summer, and the father of Stephen, A&S '06, and Brian Gionta, BC '01, was going to work while his two boys were coming back from their work, namely playing hockey.
"I was usually on my way out the door when they would be coming back from the rink," the father said. "Trust me, they looked tired. You could tell that they had been through a tough workout. Give them credit. They work hard at what they do."
That was a typical summer day for the brothers. Five to six days per week they worked out, skated, and completed skill drills. They got stronger, pushing their bodies and each other with fitness plans from Boston College and Brian's New Jersey Devils.
"Let's just say there were few nights out. Brian would come by the house around 6:30 or 7 a.m. and he would drive to the rink," said Stephen Gionta, BC's assistant captain. "We would usually skate then lift. I definitely followed his advice and asked him about things in the league. How to get better. What I need to make the next step. With Brian playing in the NHL I definitely benefit from him knowing what it takes to make it there and to play."
And he has learned. He's picked up his brother's trade, taking in the guidance and implementing it into his workouts and practices. In fact, when you see the senior forward wearing No. 15 and an "A" to denote his assistant captaincy on his maroon and gold sweater, you should take note that this BC hockey business has been a family thing for a while now.
"When Brian was playing here I would come with my parents and sit in the stands," Stephen said. "I always liked BC, but I was open to other schools when I was deciding. I thought about Miami [Ohio], but I just loved BC. It had a home feeling, and I knew with the city that I'd never get bored."
Spring Break
