BOSTON — Jeremy Swayman didn’t hesitate when he was asked what the Bruins meant to him this season.
“Family,” he said after Boston’s 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers in Game 6 that eliminated the Bruins from the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Swayman started in net in every game against Florida and always provided his team an opportunity to win.
But Boston scored no more than two goals in each game against the Panthers save for Game 1. The 12 goals combined in Games 2 and 3 were not indicative to how Swayman played between the pipes. It was clear the goalie had the support of coach Jim Montgomery throughout the playoffs, and the trust of his teammates.
For Swayman, he saw the Bruins as his family because of how they showed up for each other both on and off the ice.
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“I told them I’ve never loved a team more, especially at the pro level when the guys all have their own lives, their own families,” Swayman said after the game. “Every one of these guys took initiative to come to the rink every day and make this our family. I don’t think there’s many locker rooms in the world that have that.
“We take it for granted at times and I think we should really celebrate the fact that every day, we come in the locker room, we know that everyone has each other’s backs away from the rink and at the rink,” he continued. “They put this team first, they put this organization first and everything they do. That’s why I’m so proud to be part of this team and proud to be a Bruin.”
Even the fans at TD Garden showed their appreciation for the goalie. “Sway-Man” chants broke out during the game and at the end of the handshake line as Swayman was getting ready to head off the ice.
“Tears,” he said. “I couldn’t be more grateful to have a city, a home base that’s as supportive as Boston. They mean so much more than just fans to me. It’s truly a home for me now. … I’m just so grateful for all the love and support.”
Swayman will be a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights, but his comments seem to point to him wanting to stay in Boston long-term.
The Bruins now enter an offseason full of questions.
