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Jeremy Swayman believes the best is yet to come for USA Hockey
"What an opportunity to be alive in this era, and to be pushing to make some noise for USA Hockey."
Team USA skated off the TD Garden ice empty-handed on Thursday — their hopes of claiming the nation’s first “best-on-best” hockey title since 1996 dashed when Canada’s Connor McDavid rifled a puck into twine 8:18 into overtime of the 4 Nations Face-Off championship.
But even with that sour end, Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan harped on the positives drawn out of a tournament that both put the national spotlight on hockey — and will serve as a catalyst ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
“We sure are proud of this group,” Sullivan said. “And that’s one of the things I said to them after the game. I think this tournament and this game has had a huge impact on the growth of hockey. I think these guys inspired the next generation.”
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Bruins and Team USA netminder Jeremy Swayman shared a similar mindset following his return to Warrior Ice Arena on Friday.
“I think this event, they couldn’t have done it any better,” Swayman noted. “And just the hype around it, seeing how many people were tuning in and really seeing the sport that we play and having a real appreciation for it — I couldn’t be more excited for the NHL, hockey and obviously the fans around the world watching our sport.”
Even though Swayman did not log any minutes during tournament play on a US depth chart also featuring Connor Hellebuyck and Jake Oettinger, he stressed that the experience he gained while working with and competing against the top players in the world should benefit both himself and the rest of his fellow countrymen moving forward.
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“It couldn’t have been a better experience,” Swayman acknowledged. “And just seeing how far USA hockey’s come … what an opportunity to be alive in this era, and to be pushing to make some noise for USA Hockey.
“Because it takes a lot of years to develop what we’ve developed, and it’s our job now to take it over and really see it all the way through. So we know we have a goal in mind, and that’s the Olympics now, and that’s something that we’re all gonna be working for. And I know I will do whatever I can to help this team win.”
As Swayman shifts his focus back to the NHL in hopes of helping the Bruins look to claw back into playoff positioning, the 26-year-old netminder is looking forward to settling back into a groove, even if the next few days might include several chirps from 4 Nations victor Brad Marchand.
“He was a big part of that team, and a ton of kudos to him,” Swayman said of Marchand. “And he worked so hard at his craft. So we’re all really excited for him. But the other day, it was us against them. So it stings a lot.
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“However he’s one of my guys and our guys in this locker room, so we’re super excited to have him back. I know that he’s going to bring a lot of juice and push for the second half.”
McAvoy provides a lift
Charlie McAvoy wasn’t able to take to the ice with his USA teammates for Thursday’s showdown with Canada.
But the Bruins defenseman did make his presence felt on Causeway Street. Just hours after being discharged from Mass. General Hospital, McAvoy read the starting lineup for Team USA before their championship bout.
McAvoy had been hospitalized since Monday evening, with the US alternate captain receiving treatment for both an infection in his right shoulder and what the Bruins termed a “significant” injury to his AC joint.
After reading off the lineup, McAvoy — his right arm in a sling — was embraced by the rest of his US teammates.
He was a leader on that team, and he’s a leader in here and he’s earned that, so it means a lot to all of us,” Swayman said of McAvoy’s appearance in the dressing room. “And the fact that he was going through all that adversity and still managed to come and fight all that stuff, it just shows how much he cares.
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“He wanted to be out there as bad as all of us. So a ton of credit goes to him for battling through and coming in and helping his team. … We’re super happy that the Boston medical staff took care of him and I got to see him last night and talk to him. It seems like he’s on the up and up. So we’re excited to get him back.”
While Swayman was encouraged by McAvoy’s presence at TD Garden, Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco once again reiterated that the team has not charted out any timetable for the defenseman’s return moving forward.
“I don’t have a timeline on Charlie,” Sacco noted. “It was good to see him. He was out yesterday from the hospital. He was at the game. So that was obviously really good to see. But no, there’s nothing new to report there.”
Back at it
Fresh off of Canada’s victory, Marchand was not spotted on the ice for Boston’s practice in Brighton on Friday. But even with the Bruins captain getting some much-needed rest, Sacco added that Marchand is expected to play on Saturday against Anaheim.
Sacco added that Swayman will get the start in net as well against the Ducks … Hampus Lindholm remained off the ice during Friday’s practice, with Sacco adding that there are “no updates” regarding the blueliner’s projected return.
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Elias Lindholm returned to practice after concluding 4 Nations play with Sweden on Monday — skating on a line with Charlie Coyle and Riley Tufte, who was serving as a placeholder in Marchand’s usual top-six spot.
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