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Sweetland Signs with the Florida Panthers
March 31, 2008
ORONO, Maine-- The Florida Panthers have agreed to terms with free agent college prospect Andrew Sweetland on an entry level contract, announced today by Florida Panthers General Manager and Head Coach Jacques Martin. Sweetland will forego his final three years of eligibility at Maine. "Obviously, Andrew will be very difficult to replace, and we are going to miss him a lot," said Maine head coach Tim Whitehead. "He is a heck of a hockey player and a wonderful person. However, this is a great opportunity for Andrew with the Florida Panthers. I am very happy and excited for him." Sweetland saw action in 28 games for the Black Bears during his rookie season. He finished fourth on the team in scoring with eight goals and nine assists for 17 points. Sweetland led the Black Bears with four power play goals. He was whistled for just one penalty during the season. He was named the 2008 winner of the Howard Neville Award as the UMaine Rookie of the Year. Sweetland had three two-goal games on the season. He scored a pair of goals in Maine's game against Providence on Nov. 9. He also had a pair of goals in Maine's 5-3 win over Clarkson in the Florida College Classic. Sweetland was named Hockey East Rookie of the Week on Feb. 25 after scoring two goals and adding two assists in a weekend sweep over UMass. Sweetland, a 6-2, 204-pound native of Bonavista, Newfoundland, played for the Amherst Ramblers prior to attending the University of Maine. He set a club record for the Ramblers with 56 goals and 61 assists for 117 points in 54 games. He was named the team's most valuable player and recipient of the Vern Hurley Memorial Award. Sweetland becomes one of many former Black Bears to sign a professional contract in recent years. Maine has a rich tradition of players in the National Hockey League. The Black Bears have been one of the most dominant programs in the nation the past few years. The Black Bears have gone to the Frozen Four 11 times in the last 21 years, including four times in the last season years.
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