As a youth, Gionta played in the 1997 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with a minor ice hockey team from Rochester, New York.\n', '

Gionta was not drafted by any team. However, after graduating from Boston College he signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Albany River Rats. The River Rats were the American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, the team in which his older brother Brian was a member of. Gionta made his professional debut at the end of the 2005-06 season with the River Rats. Gionta\'s first ever AHL game was on April 13, 2006 against the Springfield Falcons. Gionta led his team to a 5–3 victory by scoring 3 goals and adding 1 assist. He was named the first star of the game.\n', '

After spending the next few seasons in the minor leagues, Gionta was called up by the Devils during the 2010-11 season. He made his debut on November 5, 2010 in a 3–0 loss to the New York Rangers. Gionta went scoreless in 12 games for the Devils that season.[citation needed] \n', '

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