The Avalanche on Tuesday announced they have re-signed defenseman Mark Barberio to a two-year contract through the 2019-20 season.

Barberio, 28, will be paid $1.45 million each season. He would have been eligible for unrestricted free agency July 1.

“Mark has been a steady part of our blue line since joining the team and has helped solidify our defensive depth,” Avalanche general manager Joe Sakic said in a release. “He has played important minutes for us and has been a key penalty killer. We are pleased to have Mark under contract for the next two seasons.”

Barberio was limited to 46 regular-season games this season because of a lower-body injury. He had a career-high 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) with 31 penalty minutes and a plus-6 rating. He had one assist in six playoff games.

The 6-feet-1, 207-pound Barberio was claimed off waivers from the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 2, 2017. He had nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 34 games with Colorado after collecting four assists in 26 games with the Canadiens in 2016-17.

Barberio was a sixth-round pick (No. 152) of the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2008 NHL draft. He played 103 games in parts of three seasons with the Lightning and totaled 17 points (six goals, 11 assists).

Barberio has 53 points (13 goals, 40 assists) in 239 NHL games with 95 penalty minutes. He has one assist in nine career playoff games.

“I played well when I was given a chance in Montreal, but in Colorado I have better opportunities,” he told French language TVA Sports. “I am more mature and more experienced, and all that is thanks to the Avalanche that gave me my chance.”



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