(Source: AHL.com)

By: Patrick Donnelly | Follow me on Twitter @PatDonn12

The youth movement will continue for the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night as prospect Jeremy Swayman will make his National Hockey League debut in net on the road against the Philadelphia Flyers, according to Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy. Boston has been without Tuukka Rask due to injury and just recently lost Jaroslav Halak to COVID-19 protocol.

“You’re gonna get your first game sooner or later,” Cassidy told reporters. “I think every kid’s dreamed of this opportunity, and he’s getting his.

“He’s played well in Providence in a condensed schedule there . . . hopefully he’s up to the task.”

In his first professional experience this season, Swayman has an 8-1-0 record, a 1.89 goals-against average, a .933 save percentage and one shutout in nine American Hockey League appearances with the Providence Bruins. The Anchorage, A.K., native signed a three-year entry-level deal with the Bruins last March after three seasons with the University of Maine.

Last year with Maine, Swayman earned the Mike Richter Award, annually awarded to the top goaltender in Division I hockey, first team All-American honors and Hockey East Player of the Year. Boston’s fourth round pick (111th overall) in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Swayman totaled 1,099 saves, the most of in Division I, in 2019-20. His 782 conference saves were the most by a Hockey East netminder since the 2010-11 season, his .932 conference save percentage led the league and his .939 overall save percentage was good enough for second in the nation.

On his collegiate career with the Black Bears, Swayman complied a .926 save percentage, a 2.52 GAA, four shutouts and a 47-34-18 record. He was also named a Hockey East First Team All-Star, and part of the All-USCHO Second Team last sason. What’s more, the now-22-year-old was named the recipient of the Walter Brown Award as the top American-born college hockey player in New England.

Cassidy also said that defenseman Kevan Miller and forward Chris Wagner will return to the lineup for Boston in tonight’s contest in Philadelphia. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.