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Sens' free-agent pickup retires before camp
By
Bruce Garrioch, QMI Agency
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  Lee Sweatt celebrates his one and only NHL goal - in his first NHL game - with the Vancouver Canucks. (ANDY CLARK/REUTERS FILE PHOTO) |
Lee Sweatt didn’t even break a sweat with the Senators in training camp before retiring.
Scott Norton, the agent for the defenceman who signed a two-year, two-way free-agent contract with the club last month, confirmed Friday his client has informed the Senators he’s decided to call it quits.
Sweatt, who turns 26 on Saturday, has decided to pursue business opportunities, Norton said an e-mail.
“He’s extremely bright and has been involved in the finance world for years,” said Norton.
An NHL executive confirmed Sweatt’s contract will not count against the salary cap because of his decision to retire.
Sweatt suited up for only three NHL games — all last season with the Vancouver Canucks after breaking his foot. He had a goal and an assist. Sweatt spent most of the season with the AHL's Manitoba Moose, where he had five goals and nine assists in 41 games.
Sweatt would have played a major role on the Senators’ blue line in Binghamton, where several members of the Calder Cup championship team have departed. Among those is defenceman Andre Benoit, who is headed to the KHL next season.
