ORONO, Maine — There was a familiar face decked out in goaltending equipment, taking shots from University of Maine players at Alfond Arena on Friday morning.
Former UMaine and current Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman was getting in a good workout in preparation for the upcoming National Hockey League season.
Swayman remains in contract negotiations with the Bruins after he had to go to salary arbitration a year ago to land a one-year, $3.475 million deal.
Swayman said he did not want to discuss his contract situation but it was clear he wants to remain a Bruin.
He said he is excited about where his game is right now.
Earlier this month, Swayman was ranked as the NHL’s fourth-best goalie on nhl.com.
“It’s the prime of my life. I couldn’t be happier about where I am, training-wise,” Swayman said. “I love sticking around Boston and getting in some top-tier training. With all the guys coming back, we had some elite skates. That’s where I feel I’m at right now and I’m always striving to get better.”
Swayman said he was pleased to return to Alfond Arena for a workout.
“Being able to come up here and see (UMaine assistant and goalie coach Alfie Michaud) and use the facilities … It’s a pretty amazing place to get to the next level,” said the 25-year-old, who was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and won the Mike Richter Award as the nation’s top Division I goalie in the 2019-20 season, his third and final year at UMaine.
In Boston last season, Swayman had shared the goaltending with Linus Ullmark until the playoffs, when the decision was made very early by UMaine Sports Hall of Famer and Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery to go with the former Black Bear.
Swayman helped lead the Bruins to a series win in seven games over Toronto and he was outstanding in the six-game series loss to eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida.
He compiled a 2.15 goals-against average and a .933 save percentage in the playoffs to go with a 6-6 record.
“That’s something I can build off,” said Swayman. “The biggest thing is we didn’t finish the job. We have a boatload of work to do. There is a lot of motivation to keep working harder to get to that place again, to feel what it’s like to play the top tier teams in this league, day in and day out.
“The mental fatigue, the physical fatigue and the level of play are all great things I get to put in my experience bank,” said the 6-foot-2, 194-pound native of Anchorage, Alaska. “It does bring confidence knowing I can sustain a top level of play during the playoffs now.”
Being named the starter in the playoffs continues to inspire him.
“That’s something I’ve worked for. I finally got the nod and I was able to get that. It was really awesome to prove that and I can’t wait to get back there,” he added.
Ullmark was traded to Ottawa in the offseason to open the door for Swayman to be the full-time number one. In the trade, the Bruins got Ottawa goalie Joonas Korpisalo to back up Swayman.
Swayman said being the No. 1 goalie won’t add any pressure.
“Pressure is what you put in tires,” said Swayman. “It’s an amazing opportunity. I know I have to go out and earn it every day. It’s not a given.”
Swayman and Ullmark became known for their post-game hug after one of their Bruins wins.
He understands it’s part of the business and said they will always be close.
“It’s going to be different. I’ll miss him a lot. It’s a pretty amazing relationship we’ve established. We’re like brothers,” said Swayman.
He hasn’t met Korpisalo but has talked to him over the phone.
“He seems like an awesome human being. I know we’re going to get along right away. It sounds like he’s really excited to be part of what we’re building here,” said Swayman.
Swayman loves playing for Montgomery.
“He’s the best. We obviously share an amazing culture coming from Maine and being on the East Coast. We understand what Maine hockey means and, obviously, what the Boston Bruins mean to New England,” Swayman said, adding he considers Montgomery one of the top three coaches in the league.
The former fourth round draft pick of the Bruins (11th overall) has played in 132 career regular season games and has a 79-33-15 record, a 2.34 goals-against average and a .919 save percentage.
His 2.34 GAA since he entered the league in 2020-21 is the second best among goalies who have played at least 50 games behind Ullmark’s 2.32.
He continues to focus on “reads, vision, understanding where the guy without the puck is and where the flow of the game is.
“A lot goes into the professional game. There’s so much pace and talent. It has to be matched day in and day out,” he said.
Returning to Maine is always special, he said.
“It’s pretty amazing every time I come back. It feels like memory lane,” said Swayman. “Everyone is so supportive of the alumni coming back. They are so welcoming. There was a sign up in the arena that said ‘Welcome back, Sway.’
He said he is excited about the team’s direction, earning its first Hockey East semifinal berth and NCAA Tournament spot since 2011-12 this past season.
“I love seeing the results,” he said.
Swayman impressed the UMaine players on the ice at Alfond on Friday. Current Black Bear winger Thomas Freel and goalie Victor Ostman, who finished his career this past season and signed a free agent deal with the Seattle Kraken, complimented his play.
“He looked so good. It just looks so effortless for him out there. His positioning is unbelievable. It’s really cool to see,” said Freel.
“He is really good positionally. He makes it look easy out there,” said Ostman.
