Born in Anchorage, Alaska, Gomez starred in high school and the local Stars of the AAHL. He then joined South Surrey of the BCJHL and was named the league's top rookie. Gomez moved up to the WHL's Tri-City Americans and was drafted 27th overall by New Jersey in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, thus becoming the first ever Hispanic player drafted in the first round. He was returned to junior and led the league with 78 assists while earning a place on the WHL West First All-Star team.

A two-time member of the U.S. World Junior team in 1998 and 1999, the shifty forward scored 70 points for the Devils in 1999-00, played in the NHL All-Star game and was a key contributor when the team defeated the Dallas Stars to win the Stanley Cup. Following the season he was presented the Calder Trophy and voted to the NHL All-Rookie Team and has been one of the team's best two-way players ever since.

After finishing the 2002-03 regular season with a solid 55-point performance, Gomez helped lead the Devils to the franchise's third Stanley Cup title in nine years. With two Stanley Cups already to his credit, Gomez entered the 2003-04 season looking to take his game yet to another level. With the departure of Joe Nieuwendyk to free agency and the absence of team captain Scott Stevens, Gomez took on a leadership role and cemented himself as one of the go-to-players on the Devils and one of the premier playmakers in the NHL, finishing tied with Tampa Bay's Martin St. Louis with a league leading 56 assists.

During the lock out Gomez returned home to Alaska to compete with the ECHL's Alaska Aces. He would return to the Devils and compete in a pair of productive seasons with the club before signing as a free agent with the New York Rangers in the summer of 2007.

On the international stage Gomez represented the United States in the 2006 Winter Olympics.