After a tough year with the Boston Bruins, goaltender Jeremy Swayman has found new energy playing for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF Men’s World Championship. The 26-year-old had a rough NHL season, but now he’s proving himself on the international stage.
A Rocky Start to the 2024-25 Season
Jeremy Swayman had a stressful off-season in 2024. He and the Bruins couldn’t agree on a new contract, and their talks became public and tense. Swayman even missed all of training camp. Finally, just before the season began, he signed an eight-year deal worth $64 million to stay with Boston.
At first, things seemed fine. But once the season started, it was clear something wasn’t right.
Swayman’s performance dropped sharply. In 58 games, he had a 22-29-7 record, a 3.11 goals-against average, and a save percentage of just .892 — far below his usual standards.
The pressure grew even more after the Bruins traded fellow goalie Linus Ullmark to the Ottawa Senators, leaving Swayman as the team’s only top netminder.
Bruins’ Season Takes a Turn
As the season went on, the Bruins began to rebuild. At the trade deadline, they made a surprising move by letting go of veteran stars like Brad Marchand, Charlie Coyle, Brandon Carlo, and Trent Frederic.
With these experienced players gone, Boston fell quickly in the standings and ended up near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. It was clear the team was shifting its focus toward the future.
Swayman’s Chance to Bounce Back
After a tough NHL season, Swayman looked for a way to prove himself again. He decided to join Team USA for the 2025 IIHF World Championship — not just for the competition, but also to find joy and confidence in his game.
Speaking about his decision, Swayman said, “I knew this was a great opportunity to play meaningful hockey. I wanted to prove to myself that I could handle a full season of games and still play at a high level. I couldn’t be more honored to play for the USA.”
A New Version of Swayman Emerges
At the World Championship, Swayman has been outstanding. He’s gone 5-0 so far and has helped Team USA reach the semifinals, where they’ll face Sweden.
Swayman spoke openly about how much the experience has helped him mentally. “I feel like a completely new human being and a completely new goalie,” he said. “The guys in the locker room have been so supportive, and it’s been such a joyful place to be. I’m just happy to be here.”
At a recent practice, reporters noticed Swayman seemed more relaxed, smiling and speaking confidently. It’s clear he’s feeling better both on and off the ice.
Looking Ahead to the Next NHL Season
Now, the big question is whether this positive energy will carry into the 2025-26 NHL season. If Swayman can continue playing at this level, he could become the strong, reliable goalie the Bruins need during their rebuilding phase.
For now, fans are watching closely to see if he can lead Team USA to a gold medal — and maybe even turn this new confidence into long-term success in the NHL.
