Sabres' AHL club signs Gionta to tryout ahead of PyeongChang 2018
Brian Gionta is getting a chance to get back into game action.
The former Buffalo Sabres captain, who's been named to Team USA's roster for the upcoming Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, has signed a one-game tryout with the Rochester Americans, the Sabres' AHL affiliate.
Related: Gionta, Wisniewski highlight U.S. men's Olympic roster
"Brian has been practicing with us on a regular basis since early in the season," Americans general manager Randy Sexton said in a statement. "These practices were part of his preparation for the Olympics and, given the Olympics are just around the corner, a game was the final tuneup for him to get ready to captain the U.S. Olympic team."
The veteran forward is expected to dress for Friday's contest against the Toronto Marlies. It will mark Gionta's first game since last April when he was part of the Sabres, and his first AHL appearance since the 2004-05 season.
A native of Rochester, Gionta has previously represented the United States internationally on six occasions, most recently at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Team USA's first game in PyeongChang comes Feb. 14 against Slovenia.
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