Swayman: 'Couldn't Be Happier to Be a Boston Bruin'

BOSTON - Jeremy Swayman addressed the media on Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Ice Arena for the first time since being awarded a one-year, $3.475 million contract through arbitration last week and said that while it was a difficult process, he is grateful to be a Boston Bruin moving forward.

"It wasn't a process I wanted to go through. But I understand that it's a business. And in the end, I'm grateful I went through it," Swayman said as he thanked his agents and the NHLPA for their work during the process. "I think the biggest thing was living day by day, understanding that what you hear might not be the truth at all times. And again, it's a business and I wanted to make sure that whatever was thrown my way I was going to be able to attack with a good mindset and making sure that at the end of the day, I was doing everything I could to be a Boston Bruin.

"And now that I'm here today, and I am Boston Bruin, I couldn't be happier. There's no ill will on the process because I understand that I'm not the first player to go through it, I'm not the last, but I definitely don't wish it upon any of my friends or teammates moving forward, and I don't want to do it ever again, as well. I'm grateful I went through it. I'm glad we got it done. I'm a Boston Bruin at the end of the day."

Swayman went on to acknowledge how different things will be for the Bruins next season with the retirement of Patrice Bergeron and so many of the pieces to last year's record-setting team leaving via trade or free agency.

"It's sad. I mean, again, it's the business of hockey…countless friends and brothers are going to different places, but those are relationships that will never be lost," said Swayman. "You go to [Charlie McAvoy's] wedding this [past] weekend and it really kind of sets in about what we built last year and the things and the relationships we had and it's definitely sad seeing the change and turnover, but at the same time what an opportunity to meet so many new players coming in.

"You hear such great things about these guys coming in. I know that our management isn't going to bring in guys that are going to bring us down so I know that, again, we're going to have the tools we need to succeed, and I can't wait for that."

The netminder, who is entering his fourth season with the Bruins, said that with the team set to have a new look, it will be up to the existing core - himself included - to carry on the foundation that has already been built both at the rink and in the community.

"I'm excited to see the guys that step up, me being one of them," said Swayman. "I'm going to make sure that the years [of] experience I've had, it's going to help me be a voice in the room a little more. But at the same time, [Bergeron] led by example and guys didn't need him to say something to necessarily react and do something. So, I think that's something that I'm going to want to do is just be that steady heartbeat that guys can lean on.

"I know that he was such an incredible ambassador in the community as well, something that I take super seriously. It's one of the best communities in the world. And I love being a part of the Boston community. And so being out and representing the Bruins in the community and giving the love that they give us right back.

"That's something that I'm going to take seriously and performing on the ice elite level every night, because that's what he did. And that's what we're going to continue to do."

As such, Swayman has stayed in Boston this summer to hone in on his offseason workouts, crediting performance coaches Kevin Neeld and Tim Lebbossiere for the plan they've put in place for him to continue to strengthen his body.

"I've stuck around Boston this summer and there's a big reason for that. And that was, I knew I was going to get the best training, the best coaching and the best atmosphere to get better," said Swayman. "That was a commitment that I wanted to make personally, to make sure that I was going to do everything I could to not have that feeling again in Game 7.

"And I think it's been, you know, one of the better training years of my life…those are some of the things that you know, I've taken seriously this summer and really put in extra emphasis on my offseason training."

At the same time, Swayman said he has been trying to balance the significance of taking care of his body with the importance of getting away from the rink and enjoying the offseason.

"This summer has been really fun because during the week I've been completely dialed in; I've had these hands on professionals working with me every day making sure form is good, making sure my repetition's good, nutrition, everything that goes into an offseason training program," said Swayman.

"I think it just elevated my summer a little more and has given me confidence you know. I'm so looking forward to camp because I've worked hard and that confidence that you have, everyday grinding, is going to give you confidence going into a training camp and then a season eventually, so I think just having the extra help with these guys here in this facility has helped a lot."

On the weekends, the Alaska native said, he has been exploring New England and enjoying the outdoors.

"I was just talking to some of the guys over the weekend at C-Mac's wedding, I've only spent like two or three weekends in Boston this summer because I've been gone every weekend going up to Maine, New Hampshire," said Swayman. "I'm actually going [Wednesday] with [A.J. Greer] to hike Mount Washington. I'm getting the city boy out of the out of the city so it's going to be fun. But did a Western Canadian trip, went fishing up there and saw some unreal mountains…grind during the week, understand what I need to do to get myself in a great position to succeed, and then take the weekend to really step away and understand that you're still enjoying life."

The Bond Remains

Despite being locked into a new contract, Swayman said he had no concerns about the competition between him and Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark. The famous post-win hug between the duo - which teamed up to secure the Jennings Trophy for fewest goals allowed last season - will roll on.

"There's nothing separating that guy and I so that's going be something I'm really excited about. Really looking forward to being back in action with him again," said Swayman. "[The hug's] one of the most incredible things I've ever experienced. It is. And that doesn't happen without the fan base that Boston has, I truly believe that. And it's definitely grown around the entire community of hockey worldwide now, which is insane to think about.

"But that's something that will never be replicated again. That's something that we've created together and, no matter what, we look forward to that every year. It's more than just the show…it's truly internal and we love each other we understand how hard it is to win games in this league.

"To see the endless support that these fans have given us is something that is going to give us motivation through anything that comes our way."

Swayman added that the competition between the two for more playing time has not affected their friendship. If anything, he said, it has fortified it as the two feed off each other to improve themselves.

"Well, that's what makes it so special, is that if we didn't have that we'd be pissed at each other because that wouldn't elevate our game," said Swayman. "And that's something that we really take seriously is that if I'm not competing as hard, or he's not competing as hard in practice, we know that if we slump in games, the other guy is going to take that net. And that's what's going to elevate our level every single game.

"That's something that could get overlooked at times from a viewer standpoint, but on the ice him and I know that if we're not elevating our game every single day, that one of the other guys is going to take over the net, and we're not going to get each other better, and we're not going to help this team get better.

"So that kind of mentality that we've had has taken care of itself, because we know that if we compete with each other to the highest level, we're going to give our team a chance to win any given night."

Wait, There's More

• Swayman on the future of the Bruins without Bergeron: "He's put in such an incredible foundation for the Bruins. And being a young guy, and this young core that's going to be a part of this organization for a long time, I know that we're going to do everything we can to continue the legacy that he's built - and guys before him as well, don't get me wrong…the Zdenos and the incredible guys…we're going to do everything we can to honor his legacy and make sure we do whatever we can to be great humans, great Boston Bruins, and good hockey players."
• Swayman on Bergeron and Brad Marchand's viral dance at McAvoy's wedding: "They didn't miss a beat. We were on the dance floor all night. It was an incredible wedding. It was really special seeing two hockey families collide like that. They just did such a beautiful job…and that was something that I know I'll cherish from that experience. Seeing the boys dance was definitely a highlight of the weekend."