RALEIGH, NC – The Carolina Hurricanes today announced that defenseman Tim Gleason has been voted by his teammates as the winner of the 2010-11 Steve Chiasson Award. It marks the first time that Gleason has been awarded the honor, which goes annually to the player that best exemplifies determination and dedication while proving to be an inspiration to his teammates through his performance and approach to the game.

Gleason, 28, is in his seventh NHL season and fifth with the Hurricanes, and serves as one of the team’s two alternate captains. The Clawson, MI native has totaled two goals, 14 assists (16 points) and 85 penalty minutes this season, while playing in all 79 games for Carolina. Gleason (6’0”, 217 lbs.) leads all Hurricanes defensemen, and ranks tied for fourth among NHL defensemen, with 209 hits this season. He earned his 100th career point with an assist on April 2, and has totaled 14 goals, 86 assists (100 points) and 470 penalty minutes in 472 career NHL games with Los Angeles and Carolina.

Past winners of the Steve Chiasson Award include  Ron Francis, Sean Hill, Kevyn Adams, Bret Hedican and Rod Brind’Amour, who won the award five times.