Clawson native Tim Gleason named Hurricanes assistant coach

By @StefanKubus – 

The Carolina Hurricanes announced Thursday the hiring of a familiar Michigan face.

Clawson native and 12-year NHL defenseman Tim Gleason is joining Michigan State alum Rod Brind’Amour behind the Hurricanes ‘ bench as an assistant coach.

Gleason, 38, was a first-round pick of the Ottawa Senators in 2001.

He broke into the league with the Los Angeles Kings in 2003 after a four-year career with the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires and after being dealt from Ottawa in a deal for Michigan State alum Bryan Smolinski. Gleason then suited up for the Canes from 2006-2015 before finishing his career in 2014-15 with the Washington Capitals. He amassed 17 goals and 142 points across 727 NHL games.

Since the franchise relocated from Hartford, Gleason ranks first in blocked shots, second in hits (1,199) and penalty minutes (537) and ninth in games played in team history. Among Hurricanes defensemen, he ranks first in hits and penalty minutes, second in shorthanded points (8), third in games played and seventh in assists.