Lee Sweatt

Lore & Background

Sweatt played four seasons of college hockey at Colorado College, serving as team captain in his senior year and earning All-WCHA Third Team honors. Undrafted, he began his professional career in Europe, playing for TPS in Finland, EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria, and Dinamo Riga in the KHL. With TPS in 2010, he won the Kanada-malja as league champion and received the Pekka Rautakallio trophy as the SM-liiga's best defenseman. He signed with the Vancouver Canucks in May 2010 and was assigned to their AHL affiliate, the Manitoba Moose. Recalled in January 2011, he made his NHL debut against the Nashville Predators, scoring the game-winning goal on his first shot. After two more NHL games, he broke his foot in practice and was placed on long-term injured reserve, ending his season. He became an unrestricted free agent in July 2011 and signed with the Ottawa Senators, but retired before playing for the organization.

Reader's Guide

Lee Sweatt's NHL career was brief—only three games—but his debut was memorable: he scored a game-winning goal against Pekka Rinne of the Nashville Predators. His path to the NHL was unconventional: undrafted, he built his reputation in Europe, winning the SM-liiga's best defenseman award and a Finnish championship with TPS. His playing style as an offensive defenseman, despite being 5'9", drew comparisons to Brian Rafalski. Sweatt also excelled in inline hockey, representing the United States at seven IIHF InLine World Championships and earning Best Defenseman honors in 2008. He retired at age 26 to work in the financial industry, stating he did not want to be a 'bubble guy' sacrificing his goals outside the game. His career illustrates a player who achieved NHL success on his own terms before choosing a different path.

Did You Know?

• He and his brother Bill were the first pair of brothers to play for the Manitoba Moose at the same time.
• Sweatt was named the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year in 2007 with a 3.8 GPA.