By: Tim A Richardson | Follow Me On Twitter @TimARichardson
The Boston Bruins drafted Jeremy Swayman in the fourth round, 111th overall in the 2017 NHL Draft. At that time, Swayman had good size, speed, and athleticism. He has all the tools to succeed, and these attributes are why the Bruins drafted him. After a three-year stint at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine, Swayman signed his entry-level contract with the Bruins. The 2020-2021 season was the young netminder’s first professional season; let’s see how he has fared.
Jeremy Swayman came to the Bruins after a superb season at the University of Maine. During that 2019-2020 season, Swayman was 18-5-11 with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .939 save percentage. After that stellar season, he was named the NCAA Hockey East Goaltender of the Year and NCAA First-Team All American. On top of that, he was named the Mike Richter Award winner, which goes to the nation’s top goalie in the NCAA. He was also named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, which goes to the top player in the NCAA.
As you can imagine, after a season like that Swayman, had a lot of buzz surrounding him. To say he was up for the task is an understatement. It didn’t take long for Swayman to get his first professional victory; he would get it in his first AHL start. It was a 4-1 win against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. The former UMaine Black Bear went on to stop 26 of the 27 shots he faced in the victory. You know how in sports, one game can have a snowball effect, and the momentum can carry your play in future games? That’s what happened here. Swayman went on to win each of his first seven starts in the AHL for Providence.
When all was said and done with Swayman’s time in Providence, he was 8-1 with a 1.89 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage. With injuries and COVID protocols sweeping over the Bruins roster, Swayman got the call up to Boston. The young netminder wasted no time getting his first win in the NHL. It came in his first game, a 4-2 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jeremy Swayman made ten starts for the Boston Bruins. He went 7-3 with a 1.50 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage. He also had two shutouts. He played so well that Boston named him Tuukka Rask’s backup for their 2020-2021 playoff run. It has been a superb first professional season for the young netminder. He’s shown that he’s athletic, quick in the crease, and can make adjustments mid-game. I believe that he’s been so successful early on in his professional career because of the number of shots he faced at UMaine. Not goalie saw more rubber than he did. That’s served him well at the pro level.
The only question left is where does he go from here? I believe Swayman will have one more full season, at least as a combination backup/AHL goaltender. After that, you could see Swayman starting full-time in the NHL. I believe that he will end up being Tuukka Rask’s eventual replacement as the number one goalie in Boston. He possesses all the tools and traits that you want in a top netminder. Swayman is a player I’ve been excited about for a few years. Seeing him play at the University of Maine, I saw his potential. It’s great seeing him succeed so early in his professional career, and I think he’s a player you should keep an eye on. I hope everyone is enjoying the playoffs. Feel free to send me any comments or questions on Twitter. As always, GO, Bs, GO!
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