Some people have to look back and wonder how Sweetland was able to land a three-year, $2.625-million entry-level contract.  He had one outstanding season in 2006-07 when he played for the Amherst Ramblers of the MJAHL when he scored 56 goals.  He was not drafted and as noted below has no real chance of making the Panthers lineup this season.

He had a tough time being productive in the AHL last season against stronger players.  It will be interesting to see how much stronger he really is to be able to compete.  Anything is possible for a player to bulk up and train hard over the summer months, we’ll have to wait and see.

Sweetland showing signs of improvement

“He needed to figure out how much stronger he had to be, and he’s done that,” said Sexton. “The difference between his practices this year and last year are like night and day.

“He’s stronger, he’s more confident, he’s faster and he’s got good skill. He just needs to spend some time to mature as a young man and as a professional.

“He clearly won’t be with the Panthers this year, but we like what we see so far.”

The six-foot-two, 204-pound Sweetland, a Bonavista, N.L., native, tore up the Maritime Junior A Hockey League in his lone season in Amherst in 2006-07, amassing 56 goals and 117 points in 54 games to handily win the league scoring title en route to being named regular-season most valuable player.