Playing career

Junior

After a standout junior career with the Ontario Hockey League (OHL)'s Windsor Spitfires, Gleason was drafted in the first round, 23rd overall, of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft by the Ottawa Senators. Unable to come to terms on a contract with the Senators, Gleason was subsequently traded to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for forward Bryan Smolinski on March 11, 2003.

Professional

After spending three years in the Kings organization, Gleason, along with Éric Bélanger, was traded to the Carolina Hurricanes on September 29, 2006, in exchange for defensemen Oleg Tverdovsky and Jack Johnson. Gleason stayed with the Hurricanes until January 1, 2014, when he was acquired by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a trade for John-Michael Liles and Dennis Robertson. On June 30, 2014, however, Gleason was placed on unconditional waivers by the Maple Leafs for the purpose of a contract buyout.

On July 3, 2014, Gleason returned to the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent, signing a one-year, $1.2 million contract. In the 2014-15 season, Gleason resumed his physical role on the Hurricanes' blueline, appearing in 55 games and registering seven points before he was traded to the Washington Capitals in exchange for Jack Hillen and a fourth-round draft pick in 2015 on February 28, 2015.

International

Gleason played for the United States at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, winning a silver medal.

Playing style

Gleason is known for his toughness and gritty play, including the diving effort he made for the Hurricanes to prevent the puck from leaving the offensive zone in Game 7 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Semi-finals against the New Jersey Devils, which ultimately led to a game-tying goal. He also took a puck to the face whilst playing against the Washington Capitals in 2009, but returned to the ice after multiple stitches to eventually score the tying goal on a breakaway.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

				Regular season						Playoffs
Season	Team	League		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
1999-00	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		55	5	13	18	101		12	2	4	6	14
2000-01	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		47	8	28	36	124		9	1	2	3	23
2001-02	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		67	17	42	59	109		16	7	13	20	40
2002-03	Windsor Spitfires	OHL		45	7	31	38	75		7	5	2	7	17
2003-04	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		47	0	7	7	21		—	—	—	—	—
2003-04	Manchester Monarchs	AHL		22	0	8	8	19		6	0	1	1	4
2004-05	Manchester Monarchs	AHL		67	10	14	24	112		5	0	0	0	4
2005-06	Los Angeles Kings	NHL		78	2	19	21	77		—	—	—	—	—
2006-07	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		57	2	4	6	57		—	—	—	—	—
2007-08	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		80	3	16	19	84		—	—	—	—	—
2008-09	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		70	0	12	12	68		18	1	4	5	32
2009-10	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		61	5	14	19	78		—	—	—	—	—
2010-11	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		82	2	14	16	85		—	—	—	—	—
2011-12	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		82	1	17	18	71		—	—	—	—	—
2012-13	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		42	0	9	9	40		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		17	0	1	1	10		—	—	—	—	—
2013-14	Toronto Maple Leafs	NHL		39	1	4	5	55		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	Carolina Hurricanes	NHL		55	1	6	7	44		—	—	—	—	—
2014-15	Washington Capitals	NHL		17	0	2	2	11		14	0	1	1	5
NHL totals				727	17	125	142	701		32	1	5	6	37

Gleason during the 2008 IIHF World Championship
Medal record
Representing United States
Ice hockey
Winter Olympics
	2010 Vancouver

International

Year	Team	Event	Result		GP	G	A	Pts	PIM
2000	United States	U17	4th		6	1	1	2	2
2001	United States	WJC	5th		7	0	1	1	2
2003	United States	WJC	4th		1	0	0	0	0
2008	United States	WC	6th		6	0	1	1	6
2010	United States	OG	02 !		6	0	0	0	0
Junior totals					14	1	2	3	4
Senior totals					12	0	1	1	6

[ Source: Wikipedia ]