Jeremy Rion Swayman Bio
Jeremy Rion Swayman (born November 24, 1998), nicknamed “Sway” or “Bulldog,” is an American professional ice hockey goaltender for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Bruins selected him in the fourth round, 111th overall, of the 2017 NHL entry draft. Swayman is Jewish and grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, where he began attending Alaska Anchorage Seawolves games as an infant with his father and started playing goaltending at age five. He developed into one of college hockey’s most decorated goaltenders at the University of Maine before joining the Bruins organization in 2021. Swayman has established himself as a premier NHL goaltender, earning All-Star honors, winning the William M. Jennings Trophy, and representing the United States internationally, most notably helping Team USA capture gold at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
Early Life and Background
Jeremy Rion Swayman was born on November 24, 1998, in Anchorage, Alaska, to Anne Boesenberg and Ken Swayman. Raised Jewish, Swayman had a bar mitzvah and grew up immersed in hockey culture. His father regularly took him to watch the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves men’s ice hockey team as an infant, sparking an early passion for the sport. Swayman first played as a goaltender when he was five years old and quickly became devoted to the position. He played youth ice hockey around Anchorage and spent two years with the team at South Anchorage High School before beginning his junior hockey career.
Swayman initially planned to stay in Alaska and play for the Kenai River Brown Bears of the North American Hockey League. However, he was cut from the team in favor of two older goaltenders. Through the help of family friends, Swayman joined the Pikes Peak Miners of the Rocky Mountain Junior Hockey League. In 18 games for the Miners, he posted a remarkable .940 save percentage and 1.79 goals against average, showcasing the talent that would eventually earn him an NHL draft selection.
Path to Professional Hockey
After one season with the Pikes Peak Miners, Swayman was selected by the Sioux Falls Stampede of the United States Hockey League (USHL) in the 12th round of the 2016 USHL Phase II Draft. Sioux Falls coach Scott Owens had noticed Swayman during his Pikes Peak season and remained impressed throughout training camp. After leading all USHL goaltenders in preseason save percentage, Swayman made his Stampede debut memorable by stopping 48 shots in a 3-2 shootout win over the Tri-City Storm. In 32 games with Sioux Falls, he posted a 7-18-3 record with a .914 save percentage and 2.90 goals against average. The NHL Central Scouting Bureau ranked him as the No. 12 prospect among all North American goaltenders, solidifying his draft stock.
At the conclusion of the USHL season, the Boston Bruins selected Swayman in the fourth round, 111th overall, of the 2017 NHL entry draft. At the time of his selection, Swayman had already committed to playing college hockey for the University of Maine, beginning with the 2017-18 season. His journey from being cut by a minor junior team in Alaska to earning an NHL draft selection demonstrated his resilience and determination to prove himself at every level.
Jeremy Rion Swayman Career
College Career with Maine Black Bears (2017-2020)
Swayman made his collegiate hockey debut on October 7, 2017, making 26 saves in a 5-1 loss to UConn. He earned his first Hockey East Rookie of the Week honor on November 17 after making 40 saves in a 5-2 win over Boston University. He received the award again on January 8 after recording his first career shutout, stopping all 31 shots in a 3-0 victory over Boston University. Swayman was named Hockey East Rookie of the Month for January after posting a .928 save percentage and 2.34 goals against average in eight games. He finished his freshman season with a .920 save percentage, 2.74 goals against average, and a 15-13-3 record, the best by any Maine rookie goaltender since Ben Bishop. He earned Hockey East All-Rookie Team honors and an All-Star Honorable Mention.
During his sophomore season, Swayman continued establishing himself as one of Hockey East’s top goaltenders. He earned Defensive Player of the Week honors twice in November and made a career-high 53 saves in a 4-3 upset win over UMass on January 25. After going 5-2-1 with a .918 save percentage in February, he was named Hockey East Goaltender of the Month. Swayman finished his sophomore year with a .919 save percentage, 2.77 goals against average, and a 14-17-4 record in 35 games, earning All-Hockey East Third Team recognition.
Breakout Season and Major Accolades (2019-2020)
Swayman’s junior season proved to be his breakthrough campaign. After a difficult start in which he made 52 saves but allowed seven goals against Providence, he posted a .962 save percentage and 1.22 goals against average over his next six games. He earned Hockey East Goaltender of the Month for February 2020 after going 4-2-1 with 210 saves and two shutouts. Swayman finished the season with an 18-11-5 record, a .939 save percentage, a 2.07 goals against average, and led all NCAA Division I goaltenders with 1,099 saves.
Swayman accumulated an impressive array of accolades at season’s end. He won the Walter Brown Award as the top American-born college hockey player in New England. Hockey East named him Player of the Year, Goaltending Champion, and a First-Team All-Star. He was an All-USCHO Second Team honoree and became the first Maine goaltender to receive CCM/AHCA All-American East First Team honors since 2012. The New England Hockey Writers Association awarded him the Leonard Fowle New England MVP. He finished as the runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top men’s college hockey player in the United States, and won the Mike Richter Award as the top NCAA Division I goaltender. Swayman announced his departure from Maine to begin his professional career, finishing as Maine’s all-time leader with 3,130 saves and 5,906:45 minutes played.
Professional Debut with Boston Bruins (2021-Present)
Swayman officially signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on March 18, 2020. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his professional career did not begin until the 2020-21 season with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate. He won his first seven games of the season, posting a 1.57 goals against average and .942 save percentage. In nine games for Providence, Swayman went 8-1-0 with a .933 save percentage and 1.89 goals against average, earning AHL Atlantic Division All-Star Team recognition.
With Tuukka Rask sidelined by injury and Jaroslav Halak testing positive for COVID-19, Swayman was promoted to make his NHL debut on April 6, 2021. He made 40 saves in a 4-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers. His first NHL shutout came on April 16, when he stopped all 25 shots in a 3-0 win over the New York Islanders. Swayman played 10 games to close the regular season, going 7-3-0 with a .945 save percentage and 1.50 goals against average. His performance earned him the backup goaltender role in the 2021 Stanley Cup playoffs, though he appeared in only one postseason game.
Establishing Himself as NHL Starter (2022-2024)
The 2021-22 season saw Swayman emerge as Boston’s primary goaltender following Rask’s injury and eventual retirement. He won NHL Rookie of the Month for February 2022 after going 5-1-1 with a .960 save percentage, 1.13 goals against average, and two shutouts in seven starts. Swayman finished the regular season with a 23-14-3 record in 40 games and led all rookie goaltenders with a 2.37 goals against average, .913 save percentage, and three shutouts. He won the Bruins’ Seventh Player Award and finished fifth for the Calder Memorial Trophy while being named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. In the playoffs, Swayman made his first postseason start in Game 3 against the Carolina Hurricanes, making 25 saves in a 4-2 victory.
The 2022-23 season was historic for both Swayman and the Bruins. He formed the league’s best goaltending tandem with Linus Ullmark, and their post-victory “goalie hug” became a widely-covered team ritual. The Bruins finished with 65 wins and 135 points, winning the Presidents’ Trophy. Swayman and Ullmark together received the William M. Jennings Trophy as the tandem to allow the fewest goals, with 177 goals against across 82 games. However, the Bruins were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Florida Panthers, squandering a 3-1 series lead. Swayman started Game 7 but the Bruins lost 4-3 in overtime.
All-Star Selection and Playoff Performance (2023-2024)
Entering the 2023-24 season, Swayman served as Boston’s 1B goaltender behind Ullmark. He started 6-0-0 with a .952 save percentage in the first month. After his first regulation loss on November 23, he had gone 7-0-2 with a 2.09 goals against average and .933 save percentage. On January 13, 2024, Swayman was named to his first career NHL All-Star Game. He played for Team MacKinnon and appeared in 10 minutes of a 4-3 shootout loss to Team McDavid in the semi-final, becoming the second Alaskan-born player to play in the All-Star Game after Scott Gomez.
In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Swayman delivered an outstanding first-round performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He made his first career Game 1 start, stopping 35 of 36 shots in a 5-1 Bruins victory. Swayman dominated the series with a .950 save percentage and 1.49 goals against average, including a 30-save performance in a 2-1 overtime victory in Game 7. The series went seven games, and Swayman’s play forced the Bruins to start him in a second-round rematch against the Florida Panthers. Despite a strong showing, the Bruins lost to the eventual Stanley Cup champion Panthers in six games.
Major Contract Extension and Current Era (2024-Present)
Following the 2023-24 season, Swayman entered the offseason as a restricted free agent seeking a major contract extension. Negotiations extended into the summer, with tensions rising after Bruins president Cam Neely referenced “64 million reasons” for Swayman to be playing. On October 6, 2024, two days before the Bruins’ season opener, Swayman signed an eight-year, $66 million contract extension. The lengthy negotiations and his missed training camp affected his early-season preparation.
Entering the 2024-25 season, Swayman was viewed as Boston’s clear starting goaltender for the first time in his career. However, his delayed start and new larger role led to early-season struggles. He missed training camp and made his season debut in the second game, a 6-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The Bruins’ season took a downturn, and Swayman’s performance was affected by the circumstances. On March 23, 2025, he gained attention by challenging Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper to a fight at center ice, though the referees intervened before punches could be thrown. The Bruins ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time in Swayman’s career. He started a career-high 58 games, compiling a 22-29-7 record with career-worst numbers of 3.29 goals against average and an .892 save percentage.
Driving Style and Strengths
Swayman is known for his aggressive, athletic style of goaltending that has drawn comparisons to NHL greats. His ability to track the puck through traffic and make difficult saves in close has been a hallmark of his game. He excels at controlling rebounds and maintaining positioning in his crease, while his quick glove hand and solid pad saves have frustrated opposing shooters. His competitive fire and work ethic have helped him develop into one of the league’s premier goaltenders despite being a fourth-round draft selection.
Notable Events and Milestones
Swayman’s career has been marked by significant milestones at every level. He became Maine’s all-time leader in saves and earned more major collegiate awards than any other Black Bears goaltender. In the NHL, he has recorded multiple shutouts, earned All-Star honors, and won the William M. Jennings Trophy. His dramatic Game 7 performance against Toronto in the 2024 playoffs showcased his ability to elevate his game in crucial moments. His goaltending partnership with Linus Ullmark produced one of the NHL’s most memorable traditions with their post-game hugs.
Jeremy Rion Swayman Career Wins
Swayman has accumulated significant victories across his college and professional career. At Maine, he posted an 18-11-5 record during his award-winning 2019-20 season and finished as the program’s all-time leader in saves. In the NHL, he has recorded multiple shutouts and helped the Bruins win the Presidents’ Trophy and William M. Jennings Trophy. He also earned victory in international competition, capturing gold with Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Championship.
NHL Highlights
Swayman has established himself as a winning goaltender at the NHL level. He made his NHL debut on April 6, 2021, making 40 saves in a victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. His first NHL shutout came days later against the New York Islanders. During his rookie season, he went 7-3-0 down the stretch to help the Bruins secure a playoff berth. The following season, he posted a 23-14-3 record with three shutouts. In the 2023-24 season, he finished 25-10-8 with an All-Star selection. Throughout his career, he has been known for his ability to make crucial saves in high-pressure situations, including his outstanding performance in Game 7 victories.
International Success
Swayman’s most significant victory came at the 2025 IIHF World Championship, where he backstopped Team USA to its first gold medal since 1980. He earned the starting role during the playoff round and went undefeated at 7-0 with a 1.69 goals against average and .921 save percentage. In the gold medal game, he posted a shutout in a 1-0 overtime win over Switzerland. Earlier, he helped Team USA win bronze at the 2018 World Junior Championship and earned two shutouts at the 2022 IIHF World Championship, where the United States finished fourth.
Jeremy Rion Swayman Family
Family Background
Swayman was born in Anchorage, Alaska, to Anne Boesenberg and Ken Swayman. His father played a formative role in his hockey development, regularly taking young Jeremy to watch Alaska Anchorage Seawolves games. This early exposure to college hockey sparked Swayman’s lifelong passion for the sport and his eventual path to becoming a professional goaltender.
Personal Life
Swayman and his long-time girlfriend Alessandra Iacaboni became engaged in late 2025. The couple welcomed their son Briggs in June 2026. During the 2021-22 NHL season, Swayman and his teammate Linus Ullmark went viral for the hugs they shared after games, a ritual that began after the Bruins won their home opener and quickly became one of the most recognizable traditions in hockey. Swayman is Jewish and has been open about his faith throughout his career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season presented significant challenges for Swayman and the Boston Bruins. After a contract holdout and missed training camp during extension negotiations, Swayman struggled to find his form early in the season. His new role as the clear starting goaltender required adjustment, and the team around him also faced difficulties. Despite the struggles, Swayman continued to work through his challenges and remained a focal point of the Bruins’ organization.
Throughout the season, Swayman faced increased scrutiny and responded with his characteristic competitiveness. His attempt to fight Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper demonstrated his fiery personality and refusal to back down from challenges. The Bruins ultimately missed the playoffs for the first time during Swayman’s tenure, but he still appeared poised for a bounce-back campaign. In late April 2026, Swayman was announced as a finalist for the Vezina Trophy, awarded to the NHL’s top goaltender, alongside Andrei Vasilevskiy and Ilya Sorokin.
Internationally, 2025 proved to be a highlight for Swayman as he represented the United States at the IIHF World Championship. He helped lead Team USA to its first gold medal since 1980, posting a shutout in the championship game and going undefeated throughout the tournament. This international success demonstrated his ability to perform at the highest levels when representing his country. Looking ahead, Swayman remains a cornerstone of the Bruins’ future as they work to return to championship contention.