Bruins’ Jeremy Swayman has settled his All-Star hug snub with Thatcher Demko

"There’s still love. He’s a good guy."

Jeremy Swayman and Linus Ullmark are no stranger to hugs out on the ice. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

February 8, 2024

2 minutes to read

Jeremy Swayman had a score to settle on Thursday morning.

With the Bruins holding their morning skate at TD Garden, Swayman had a chance to seek out the Canucks within Boston’s home barn — with Vancouver slated to skate after the Bruins.

For Swayman, he only had one simple request for fellow netminder Thatcher Demko.

“I asked him if he wanted a hug,” Swayman said on Thursday morning. “He was like ‘Absolutely not.’”

Anyone who has watched Swayman over the past four years knows that he’s quick to seek out an embrace — especially with another goalie.

But Demko — Vancouver’s No. 1 option between the pipes — may be a bit more reticent when it comes to goalie hugs.

During the NHL All-Star Weekend in Toronto, Swayman gave each of his fellow goalies hugs as they made their way out on the ice at Scotiabank Arena — including the Stars’ Jake Oettinger, Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, and Rangers’ Igor Shesterkin.

But Demko didn’t return the favor, walking right by Swayman and leaving him hanging on his way out of the dressing room.

Of course @JeremySwayman is spreading the love at #NHLAllStar. 😊

🇺🇸: @espn or @ESPNPlus ➡️ https://t.co/Pp9X7OGP3W
🇨🇦: @Sportsnet or stream on Sportsnet+ ➡️ https://t.co/sEijvXhbA1 pic.twitter.com/hieF2mVrew
— NHL (@NHL) February 3, 2024

It immediately led to speculation that the Bruins and Canucks were destined for another goalie feud — as was the case between Tim Thomas and Roberto Luongo during the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals.

But Swayman defused the situation when speaking to reporters on Thursday.

“He came up the next day and was like ‘Sway, I’m so sorry about that,’” Swayman said. “He just didn’t see, I guess. I was laughing like, ‘Totally cool.’ There’s still love. He’s a good guy. We had a good chat about there. … There was a great group of goalies there. We had a great time, a lot of good memories.”

Swayman will not be able to get the last laugh on the ice against Demko on Thursday, as Linus Ullmark will get the start in net against Vancouver in a showdown between the top two teams in the NHL.

Granted, Ullmark has a pretty good track record against the Canucks — with the veteran goalie scoring a goal in his last matchup against Vancouver on Feb. 25, 2023.

Demko will get the call in net on Thursday against Boston. The former Boston College product is in the midst of the best season of his career — posting a 27-8-1 record with a .920 save percentage and five shutouts.