With training camp underway, the New York Islanders have brought back Stephen Gionta on a PTO.
A familiar face will be joining the Islanders as training camp begins.
Arthur Staple of the Athletic reported Thursday that Stephen Gionta will be re-joining the New York Islanders for training camp as he has signed a PTO (professional tryout contract) with the team.
In other #Isles depth notes, Stephen Gionta is back on a PTO.
— Arthur Staple (@StapeAthletic) September 13, 2018
Formerly a New Jersey Devil, Gionta first came to the Islanders on a PTO signed just before training camp in 2016. After getting hurt during the preseason blocking a shot against the New York Rangers, Gionta signed an American Hockey League (AHL) deal with the Bridgeport Sound Tigers.
Later on in the season, however, Gionta wound up signing a two-way contract (NHL/AHL) with the organization and played in 26 games with the Islanders, scoring one goal and six points over that span.
Last summer, Gionta signed a one-year, two-way deal with the team and spent the entirety of the 2017-18 season with the Sound Tigers but, injuries limited him to just 30 games where he scored five points (two goals, three assists).
All in all, Gionta has 16 goals and 40 points in 296 NHL regular-season games as well as three goals and seven points in 24 postseason games. In 411 AHL games, the Rochester, NY native has 66 goals and 154 points.
Now, Gionta heads into training camp likely looking to earn an AHL deal. With Bridgeport looking like they will be boasting their best lineup ever this season, cracking the Sound Tigers lineup will be a tough task for the 34-year-old.
Also joining the Isles for training camp on PTOs are defensemen Dennis Seidenberg and Luca Sbisa.
The Isles first preseason game is Sept. 16 when they take on the Flyers at Nassau Coliseum. It will be the first of three straight games in three games against the Flyers to start the preseason for the Isles.