Forward Brian Gionta (Rochester, N.Y.) is captaining the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for the first time, and is representing Team USA for the second time on the Olympic stage after previously participating in the 2006 in Torino, Italy. A 2003 Stanley Cup champion with the New Jersey Devils, Gionta has played 1,006 NHL regular-season games and served as an NHL team captain for seven seasons among two teams (Montreal, Buffalo). The Rochester, N.Y., native has played in five International Ice Hockey Federation world championships, including twice with the U.S. Men's National Junior Team (1998,1999) at the IIHF World Junior Championship and three times with the U.S. Men's National Team (2000, 2001, 2005) at the IIHF Men's World Championship.

GET TO KNOW

Favorite USA Hockey Moment:
1996 World Cup of Hockey

Three things you love about hockey:
Competitiveness, Speed and Skill

Best advice you’ve been given:
“Control what you can control”

Favorite Movie:
The Shawshank Redemption

One person you would like to meet:
Tim McGraw