CAREER NOTES: Posted career highs in goals (11), assists (11), points (22) and games played (79) with Colorado in 2007-08… Led Colorado forwards in hits (115) and blocked shots (66) in 2007-08. Also tied for sixth among all NHL forwards in blocked shots… Scored his first career playoff goal while shorthanded in Game Six of the 2008 Western Conference Quarterfinals… Scored in his 100^th career NHL contest vs. Edmonton on Feb. 24, 2008… Split the 2006-07 season between Colorado and Albany (AHL)… Ranked second on the 2006-07 Avalanche in shorthanded points (1g-1a)… Ranked third on Colorado in face-off efficiency (49.5%)… Was third on the River Rats with 29 points (10g-19a) in 36 games at the time of his final recall to Colorado… Ranked fourth on the 2005-06 Providence Bruins (AHL) in both goals (22) and points (52)… Signed an AHL contract with Providence prior to the 2004-05 season, and helped it advance to the Eastern Conference Finals… Played a team-high 79 games with Bridgeport in 2003-04 after signing an AHL contract with the Sound Tigers on Oct. 13, 2003… Split the 2001-02 season between Bridgeport and Cincinnati… Spent his first professional season with the Tallahassee Tiger Sharks (ECHL) in 2000-01.

AMATEUR: Played four seasons at the University of Maine, amassing 96 points (47g-49a) in 146 games from 1996-2000… The 1999 and 2000 Richard Britt Coaches’ Perseverance Award winner… Led UM in goals (22) and ranked third on the club in points (36) in 1999-2000… Helped the Black Bears win the 1999 NCAA National Championship as a junior… Scored the opening goal of the 1999 title game, a 3-2 victory for Maine over New Hampshire.

BACKGROUND: Nickname “Benny” or “Geets”… Spends his offseason in Denver, Colo… Favorites include France (vacation destination), ribs (food), youtube.com (website), Garth Brooks (musician) and Montreal (NHL city to visit)… Lists New Jersey’s Jay Leach as his best friend in the NHL… His father, Pierre, was selected 26th overall (second round) by Detroit in the 1972 Entry Draft. He played 377 games in the World Hockey Association from 1972-79, amassing 197 points (92g-105a) and 585 penalty minutes… Wife – Kristen.

TRANSACTIONS: July 14, 2009 – Signed as a free agent by Nashville… July 12, 2006 – Signed as a free agent by Colorado… August 15, 2005 – Signed as a free agent by Boston... September 16, 2003 – Signed as a free agent the N.Y. Rangers... March 19, 2002 – Traded by the N.Y. Islanders, along with Bjorn Mellin, to Anaheim for Dave Roche… August 1, 2001 – Signed as a free agent by N.Y. Islanders… June 21, 1997 – Montreal’s eighth selection (172^nd overall, seventh round) in the 1997 Entry Draft.