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.[2] 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.[3]
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]
On April 12, 2012, Gionta scored his first career NHL goal. The goal, which was the game-winning goal, was scored against Craig Anderson of the Ottawa Senators. The Devils won the game 4–2, while Gionta received first star honors of the game. During the 2012 postseason, Gionta skated in 24 games with the Devils, recording three goals and four assists. The Devils advanced to the 2012 Stanley Cup Finals, but fell to the Los Angeles Kings.[citation needed]
On June 29, 2012, Gionta re-signed with the New Jersey Devils on a two-year contract.[4] On July 1, 2014, Gionta re-signed for another two years.[5]
After 11 seasons with the Devils, Gionta's association with the club ended as he was out of contract to become a free agent. Unsigned over the following summer, Gionta accepted a professional try-out contract to attend the New York Islanders' training camp on September 12, 2016.[6] At the end of training camp, he signed a one-year deal with the Islanders' AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. On December 21, 2016, Gionta agreed to a one-year, two-way deal with the Islanders.[7] On August 8, 2017, Gionta re-signed with the Islanders to another one-year deal.[8] On October 2, 2017, Gionta was placed on waivers so he can be assigned to the AHL affiliate Bridgeport Sound Tigers.[citation needed]
On October 13, 2018, Gionta returned to the Islanders, signing a one-year, two-way contract.[9] He featured in five games with the Islanders, going scoreless before he was assigned to play out the remainder of his contract in a return to the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
On August 1, 2019, Gionta announced his retirement from professional hockey after a 13-year playing career, accepting work as a professional scout for the Tampa Bay Lightning.[10]
