Veteran defenceman Tim Gleason returned to the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday as the two sides agreed to terms on a $1.2-million US, one-year contract.

"We obviously know well what Tim brings to our team on and off the ice and how he fits in our organization," general manager Ron Francis said in a release. "We are happy that he is choosing to return to Raleigh."

Gleason, 31, split last season between Carolina and Toronto and was waived by the Leafs earlier this week. He had six points (one goal, five assists) and 65 penalty minutes in 56 games.

The six-foot 217-pound blue-liner was traded to the Maple Leafs on Jan. 1 in exchange for John-Michael Liles and Dennis Robertson.

Gleason was selected by the Ottawa Senators in the first round (23rd overall) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. He has 133 points (16-117) in 633 career NHL games with Los Angeles, Carolina and Toronto.