Panthers' Barkov announces contract extension by tweeting at Kevin Spacey

The 2015-16 Florida Panthers will forever be linked to Kevin Spacey.

The team has taken to awarding its "hero of the game" with a rather bizarre sweatshirt featuring the head of the Oscar-winning actor floating in space.

This tidbit came to light in late December, when budding star center Aleksander Barkov was seen donning the hallowed garment following a win over the Montreal Canadiens.

So, upon signing a six-year contract extension with the Panthers on Monday, Barkov took to Twitter to thank Spacey for bringing him good luck, while implicitly announcing the deal.

The 20-year-old has recorded 12 goals and 18 assists in 38 games, and will be out to prove his new pact isn't built on a house of cards.