Bryan Murray’s search for an experienced blueliner brought him to an old number in his phone book.

After calling it, he came to an agreement with Joe Corvo on a one-year deal worth $900,000.

“Joe brings us a veteran defenceman that has a history of scoring points in the National Hockey League,” said Murray.

“He is now one of seven defenceman we have in the organization ... we needed depth, and we certainly have that provided now, in Joe.”

Corvo, 36, will not need a GPS to find Canadian Tire Centre, even though he knows it as something else.

The Oak Park, Ill. native played 126 regular season games for the Senators between 2006-08, recording 14 goals and 50 assists.

During Ottawa’s run to the Cup finals in 2007, Corvo had nine points in 20 games and scored a double overtime winner that helped the Senators eliminate Buffalo in the conference finals.

The following year he struggled, mostly with his defence and confidence.

In the local media, he was harshly nicknamed “Uh Oh” Corvo. Finally he asked Murray to trade him to a city where hockey wasn’t so closely scrutinized.

“He has an understanding of what it takes to play in this market now,” said Murray.

“But again, the most important thing with Joe is that he’s a veteran guy that can play on the power play, can shoot the puck well, address some of the needs that are really needed in the league today, where you have to get points from your backend. And he’s one of those people who can provide it.”

Corvo had six goals and 11 assists in 40 games with Carolina last season.

Other free agent options Murray had to choose from in padding the blue line included former Senator Wade Redden, Douglass Murray, Ryan Whitney and Ian White.

Corvo will join a group that currently includes Erik Karlsson, Marc Methot, Chris Phillips, Eric Gryba, Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch, with Cowen and Wiercioch being restricted free agents still in need of a contract.

The addition of Corvo — who has 89 goals and 300 points in 683 games — gives additional development time to Mark Borowiecki and Cody Ceci.

“I kind of figured they were going to do something like that,” Ceci said of the signing.

“They didn’t have many defence coming back and I knew I was going to have to work for my opportunity, so it didn’t really come as to much of a surprise.

“I just have to work that much harder now to give myself an opportunity next year.”

don.brennan@sunmedia.ca