RALEIGH, NC-Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes, today announced that defenseman Bret Hedican has been activated from injured reserve. Hedican is eligible to play in tonight's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning at the RBC Center.

Hedican underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left ring finger on Jan. 5 in Vail, CO. He has missed 10 games since the surgery was performed by Dr. Randy Viola at Vail Valley Medical Center. Hedican, 36, leads all Carolina defensemen this season in average ice time, averaging 20:53 of ice time per game. The St. Paul, MN., native has earned eight assists in 37 games this season. Hedican (6'2", 210 lbs.) is in his 15th NHL season and his fifth with the Hurricanes.