Gionta: "This was my childhood team growing up & it’s a dream to play for them" http://t.co/xQfJC2UoVr pic.twitter.com/hLvNdGDyJB
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 2, 2014A geosynchronous orbit is an orbit around the Earth with an orbital period that matches the Earth's sidereal rotation period. The synchronization of rotation and orbital period means that for an observer on the surface of the Earth, the satellite appears to constantly hover over the same meridian (north-south line) on the surface, moving in a slow oscillation alternately north and south with a period of one day, so it returns to exactly the same place in the sky at exactly the same time each day.
What the Hell am I talking about?!
Oh yeah, Brian Gionta ws introduced to the Buffalo media on Tuesday afternoon. Gionta slowly rotated away from Rochester to pursue his NHL career. He won a Stanley Cup in New Jersey and then became the captain of the legendary Montreal Canadiens. On Tuesday, Gionta completed his rotation back to Western New York. In a sense, its as if Gionta never left the Buffalo-Rochester area. His home is where is heart is. His heart now resides in a Blue and Gold sweater.
Tim Murray made Gionta's dreams come true by recruiting the 200 foot winger to play in Hockey Heaven.
Gionta was all smiles when he talked about the last time he was a free agent and his interest in becoming a Buffalo Sabre at the time. Darcy Regier couldn't pull the trigger then. Tim Murray righted that wrong by signing the 35 year old leadership clinic to a handsome three-year, $12.75 million contract.
“This was my childhood team growing up and it’s a dream to play for them and put on the jersey. I can’t wait until September comes,… Gionta said. “We’re confident that we can come here and be a part of something big. That’s our expectation: to come here and field a winning team. I think we’re putting the pieces in place and we’re excited to be a part of that.…
Such a smart signing by Murray to attract a true grit, respected leader to a young, talented team that was lacking a leader. Gionta could easily wear the "C" for Buffalo for the next three seasons. He has the intangible leadership qualities that make him well-suited to lead men into battle. He's not a rah-rah guy. He leads by his examples, like his mentors Patrik Elias, Scott Stevens, Marty Brodeur, and Jamie Langenbrunner. “I try to lead by example and I go about my business and try to be a good influence on and off the ice,… he said. “By no means am I going to come here and work miracles, but I just try to be a presence and be somebody maybe for the young guys coming along, that being around and having some experience in the League, that I can be a sounding board.…
Thanks, Sabres.com
Gionta said that he can't wait for September's training camp to get here so that he can join his new teammates.
I believe him.
Brian Gionta looks right at home in the #Sabres locker room. (@BWipp) pic.twitter.com/vZFkOGSqEc
— Buffalo Sabres (@BuffaloSabres) July 2, 2014****
I was on my way to my office at 6:00am Wednesday morning when I heard the news about Rick Jeanneret's health. I promptly pulled my car over on the shoulder of the road and offered my prayers to RJ and his loving family.
I encourage you to do the same.
Over the years, I've been fortunate to meet some special people inside the game of hockey. RJ is in a class all by himself. He's such a genuine, real, passionate man. He's a Hall of Fame broadcaster and a world class ambassador for the game that we love.
RJ says that he will be back in his broadcast booth next season. I can't wait to see him in the press box on opening night in October.
The Buffalo Sabres are deeply saddened to learn of Rick Jeanneret’s cancer diagnosis. RJ has been a vital part of the Sabres family and the Buffalo community for 43 years and this news undoubtedly weighs heavily on everyone who has had the privilege of listening to his broadcasts through the years.As he begins treatment in the coming weeks, we will continue to keep RJ, his wife, Sandra, his mother, Kay, his sister, Marcia, his children, Mark and Chris, his stepdaughter, Shelly, and his grandchildren in our thoughts. We wish RJ a full and speedy recovery and know his tenacity will serve him well in his fight.
On behalf of the Jeanneret family, the Sabres are asking for respect of the family’s privacy as RJ undergoes treatment.
The team has also set up a dedicated email address - GetWellRJ@sabres.com - for fans to send well-wishes and notes of encouragement.