A familiar face will return to the ice for the Carolina Hurricanes this week.

Defenseman Tim Gleason will join the Canes at practice beginning Wednesday. An unsigned free agent, the 32-year-old remains interested in competing in the NHL, and these next few days of practice will give the team and Gleason himself a chance to assess his physical aptitude.

The American-born defenseman has played in 727 career NHL games, 546 of which have been with the Hurricanes over nine seasons. Gleason has logged 142 career points (17g, 125a) and 701 penalty-minutes in his career, which began in the 2003-04 season with the Los Angeles Kings.

Gleason returned to the Hurricanes in the 2014-15 season on a one-year contract following a New Year’s Day trade to the Toronto Maple Leafs the season prior. On Feb. 28, 2015, the veteran blue liner was traded to the playoff-bound Washington Capitals in exchange for Jack Hillen and a fourth-round draft pick. Gleason, who remains in the Raleigh area, took part in informal skates with the Hurricanes prior to this season but has yet to sign a contract.

is the Web Producer for the Carolina Hurricanes.