Prior to this summer’s free agency, Jake DeBrusk asked the Bruins for not one, but two trades in an attempt to start over. After Boston was ousted from the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the summer of 2021, a request was made for the first time.
Throughout the series, DeBrusk was a healthy scratch, and he started to wonder what type of future role he would have on the club.
DeBrusk recently stated, “I just thought it’s time for maybe a fresh start for both sides,” on “The Cam & Stick Podcast.” I decided to try to move it along at that moment and I made the call. I believed that I was battling for my career at the time and that they weren’t taking it seriously. I didn’t see anything changing, and I felt I could contribute more than what was already being place.”
The second trade request was made public, while the first one stayed confidential. Additionally, it created a “very uncomfortable” atmosphere near the hockey rink.
“It was really uncomfortable when it came out,” DeBrusk remarked. “Talking to the men in the hotel and entering the rink the following day was really awkward. The individuals that were present were a major factor in my success in getting out of that particular situation. I knew they had my back. They were all fine with me and stuck by me the entire time. In the room, they knew why. They were aware that all I was doing was looking for a better match so I could play in the NHL longer and have a better opportunity at something.
During the 2021–22 trade deadline, the Bruins signed DeBrusk to a two-year extension, although they were unable to find a trading partner for the forward. Bruce Cassidy was fired by Boston when they were eliminated from the playoffs, and shortly after, DeBrusk withdrew his trade request.
In the end, he stayed for the duration of his contract, and he even made it known that he wanted to stay in Boston permanently rather than enter free agency. For DeBrusk, nevertheless, the 2023–24 campaign proved difficult offensively. And even though he was maybe the greatest forward for the Bruins throughout their summer playoff run, the two parties were never able to come to an agreement on a new deal.
On the first day of NHL free agency, DeBrusk signed a seven-year contract with the Vancouver Canucks, swiftly settling into a new team. On November 26, he will make a return visit to TD Garden to watch his new club play.
Amazing Moment Shared By Jeremy Swayman With Young Hockey Players.
While Boston Bruins supporters wait impatiently to learn whether the historic team and goaltender Jeremy Swayman have reached a contract deal, the youthful goalie took some time to surprise a bunch of young hockey players in Maine.
On Wednesday, Swayman made a virtual appearance at the University of Maine’s annual Youth Summer Camps for ice hockey.
A sweet Swayman Surprise for campers this week 😄#BlackBearNation pic.twitter.com/Us1urH9RSx
— Maine Men’s Ice Hockey (@MaineIceHockey) July 24, 2024
The youthful hockey players yelled, “Swayman!” in gratitude for the goalie.
The 25-year-old native of Alaska grinned broadly and said, “Love it,” to the throng of kids. He shared the event on Instagram stories as well.
Swayman spent three years as a net player with the Black Bears prior to turning pro. With 3,130 saves, he became Maine’s all-time leader at the end of his collegiate career. Swayman finished with a 47-40-12 overall record, 2.51 goals against and a.927 save % in 100 games. Swayman won the Mike Richter Award for best NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey goalie of the year during his last campaign with the Black Bears.
On March 18, 2020, Swayman signed an entry-level three-year contract with Boston, bringing him to the Bruins.
Swayman recorded a 1.50 goals-against average and a.945 save percentage in 10 games during his rookie campaign wearing the Spoked-B. When Swayman and former Bruins goalie Linus Ullmark teamed up for the 2021–22 campaign, they created one of the league’s finest tandems.
After concluding the Centennial season with a 2.53 goals-against average and a.916 save percentage, he became the Bruins’ top goalie in 12 postseason games, earning a 2.15 goals-against average and a.933 save percentage.
