The Carolina Hurricanes have re-signed veteran defenceman Glen Wesley, announcing a one-year deal on Friday.

Wesley will suit up for his 20th NHL season and 13th with Carolina. The 38-year-old defenceman agreed to a one-year, $1.4-million US contract. 

He had one goal and 12 assists in 68 games for the team last season. He also blocked 103 shots, but missed the last six games of the season with a foot injury.

The Hurricanes failed to make the playoffs the season after capturing the Stanley Cup.

"Obviously the fire and the passion is still there and I think that's the biggest part of it for me," Wesley said. "I think we've got a great core group of guys that can look at doing it again, and that's first and foremost what we want to strive for this year."

Aside from a brief stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs after the 2003 trade deadline, Wesley has been with his current franchise for 12 seasons.

He is the only player on the roster who predates the franchise move from Hartford, Conn., to North Carolina.

"His leadership is important to the fabric of our dressing room and we are glad he is returning to play another season," general manager Jim Rutherford said.

The championship in 2006 was particularly sweet for Wesley, who had reached the finals on three previous occasions — with the Hurricanes in 2002, and with Boston in 1988 and 1990.

Wesley was the third overall pick by the Bruins in the 1987 NHL entry draft after spending three seasons with the WHL's Portland Winter Hawks.

He has 127 goals and 402 assists in 1,379 NHL games.

With files from the Associated Press