Geoffrion proud of family’s NHL ties, wants more

Nashville called him up Feb. 26, and he made his NHL debut that day against Dallas. He scored his first goal in Edmonton in his third game. Trotz credits Geoffrion’s quick success _ he just turned 23 _ with a willingness to stand close to the crease.

“It’s really big in his game,” Trotz said. “If you probably look at his college career, … I would say probably 75 percent of his goals were right in the slot area or the crease area. That’s how you’re going to score in this league too,” Trotz said.

Geoffrion credits watching current Flyers forward Scott Hartnell score from that area while with Nashville. That’s where Geoffrion completed his hat trick in Buffalo with his father in the stands. Danny Geoffrion had been in Toronto for an old-timers’ tournament and drove down with his friends to watch.

“It was pretty cool for my dad to be there and enjoy the moment together,” Geoffrion said.

Playing at home isn’t adding any pressure to someone seen as the homegrown player who could stoke fan interest. His mother handles any ticket requests, while he turns his phone off on game day. So far, he goes unrecognized except on game days when he wears a suit or is close to the arena.

And he does like his nickname with its family roots. Not only was his grandfather Boom Boom, his father is called Boomie or Boom.

“So Boomer, I’ll take. That’s pretty cool,” Geoffrion said.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.