from Time Warner Cable News Buffalo,

Brian Gionta was back on home turf Monday night, signing autographs at Frontier Field one month after signing a three-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres.

After more than 17 years away from home, the Greece native is glad to be back playing hockey in his neck of the woods.

"We’re excited about it,” Gionta said. “It’s something we’ve been trying to do for quite some time. We love the area. We spend time here during the summers. My wife and I are both from here so to be back closer to home, closer to family and friends, it’s special to us.”

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