Empty Netters Podcast - 49. It's Not Rocket Science with Jeremy Swayman

Episode Date: August 16, 2023

William M. Jennings Trophy winner, Jeremy Swayman, joins the show. The boys get into going all the way from Alaska to the University of Maine, and then getting to learn the NHL game from the likes of Tuukka Rask. Sway talks about being a self proclaimed "not weird" goalie, and the mentality that has made him one of the best tendies in the NHL.    (0:00:00) - Intro (0:08:00) - Sway LOVES Alaska (0:13:06) - Making It To The Next Level (0:18:17) - Life Playing For U Maine (0:29:39) - Custom Goalie Masks (0:33:52) - The NHL Draft and Becoming A Bruin (0:54:32) - Pass Shoot Score   SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuf52MHW1O7guPMzsMvv2kA FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/empty.netters/?hl=en FOLLOW US ON TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@empty.netters   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Okay, today is a big day, everybody, because we are sitting here with the 111th pick from the 2017 NHL draft, a Hockey East player of the year, a Walter Brown Award winner, a Mike Richter award winner as a member of the main Black Bears, a world junior bronze medalist, a member of the NHL all-rookie team, the co-William M. Jennings Award winner from this past season, and the greatest giver and receiver of hugs in all of sports. Jeremy Swayman is on the Empty Netters podcast. Let's go. What's up, guys? Thanks for having it. Hell yeah, dude.

On that note, I know you've said this before. How did the hug originate? That was funny, man. I mean, I've actually been hugging goalie since college. So it's funny, like, not too many people know that, but I just love the boys, you know? And, like, the goalie is like, you know, goal to goalie relationship is pretty unique because there's only one net and you know it's really

something that we compete for right and sometimes you know guys aren't going to get along so um you know I just kind of took it as an opportunity to you know make each other better and when I met Linas it was an instant connection and I knew that he was going to be an awesome dude and just a great competitor and partner to be with but the hug was uh was so natural man like we were doing in training camp, like just out of nowhere. But, you know, to see what it is today is nothing like we could imagine. And it's been pretty special to see how the fan base and the hockey community as a whole has taken it.

Yeah, I was going to say you surpassed the Boston fan base community and you guys are NHL fan darlings now. It's unbelievable. It is unbelievable. You two are on the NHL's Instagram or NHL's Twitter almost every other week with that hug. It's amazing. It's the hug heard around the world. It's unreal.

That's pretty special to hear, man. We got, we gotta get, there's a big merch line and products up here at Friday beers that's like hug your bros. And we got to get you to a hug your golly shirt. Like we'll make you a custom hug your goalie. Thousand percent. That'll be safe. That's such a good idea. I didn't think about that.

Yeah, wow. Well, dude, on the goalie topic, you are our first goalie on the show. Yeah, dude. Come on. For both, for both you and us. This is a really, you never forget your first. I told Dan it was like the wedding crash or stick. Like him and I are going back and forth thinking of our guests.

And Dan's like, it's our first goalie. And I was like, yeah, it's our first Asian. It's unbelievable. Glad I could relate to that one. Yeah, that's awesome. I'm honored, very honored. Thank you for it. But dude, you have kind of gone against the grain with the whole goalie thing.

And you constantly claim that you're not weird. And I need to know, we've all got something weird, dude. So what's weird about you? What's the weirdest thing about? you. Even if you're saying you're normal. Yeah, I'm self-reclaimed, right? Hopefully if you ask my teammates, they'd say the same thing. But I don't know, man.

I think I just kind of go with the flow. I like having fun and just, you know, when it comes to game time, I think that's when goalies and hockey players in general get like the superstitions going and stuff. But I've just kind of enjoyed the process and like, you know, not feeling pressure or just being like more excited about things than anything. And so when, you know, you're getting ready for a game, we all have our routines and stuff, but, you know, say, you know, your headphones die, it's not the end of the

world, right? It's just, you kind of laugh and move on, and that's all you can control. So that's why I claim to be a not weird goalie, but I'm sure the boys would say otherwise at time. So hopefully that's a good reputation. I kind of think how little, you know, I read a little about your pregame, you know, you do the juggles or whatever, but you're like, you're not, You don't have to be the last one off at warm-ups. Like, you're cool with everything. I think the fact that you aren't weird is the weirdest thing about you. If you and I go, I'd be freaked out about how not weird you are.

Just double-edged sword. Yeah. He can't win. He's just, you know. Like, that guy's weird. He's so fucking normal. People get suspicious about this way because he's just a cool, normal guy. Yeah, right.

That's funny. Dude, we've got a million main connections that we've got to touch into. Obviously, you're a black bear. We grew up in Maine. Oh, let's go. Look, here we go. I love it. But you played in the Falmouth Country Club driving for kids tournament this June.

So first, let's get into that. How'd you hit him? And then did you do better than Clemens? Because seeing the guest list there, seeing that the rocket was there, was the most surprising thing ever. Because I feel like he's a villain in New England. And he was in this Maine golf tournament. So how'd that go? It was amazing.

You know, the Drive for Kids guy, the staff, obviously the main community that came out. It was first class. And it was the first ever celebrity tournament I've been a part of. So seeing guys like Clemens and having, you know, huge names there and just kind of talking about, you know, their professions and what they did growing up. And obviously their pro careers was something that I've never experienced. And, you know, it's just amazing how nice these guys are, you know, away from their sport. Like seeing the Red Sock guys, the Patriot guys. truly all over. You know, you're at the range and you're just talking like it's just a normal day.

And that's like, that was the coolest part about it. And you're making these connections. So if you see them again, you know, you remember each other and, you know, talk about something fun. But yeah, as far as the tournament itself, they had that course was, the greens were probably the fastest in the New England area, you know, at that point in the year. Yeah. Yeah. So I got to do a practice round a week or two earlier and I just got chewed up. by this course. Like, I was so nervous. I'm like, I'm never going to be invited back. Like, this is so brutal. And so kind of that week prior, I was like really trying to dial in my swing and ended up shooting pretty well. I actually couldn't play Saturday. I had to go to a wedding. But I played Thursday Friday. And I think on Friday, I shot a 79. So that was like a fun.

Yeah, that was a big win. My best friend from Portland, my buddy Hans, he was my catty too. So it was a special event to be able to share that with him and all the amazing people there. Well, dude, when you say you got chewed up in the practice round, what was that? What did you shoot that day? Oh, man, I got shot like a 48 on the front nine. Like, just like you hit the green, it just goes flying off. Yeah, yeah. One of those days where you stop counting.

Right. Because we were actually talking to Tomer today about you coming on and he was like, he's playing golf today. So he's like, oh yeah, I just got off the course played horribly. Shot in 89. And I'm like, fuck off, dude. I know you want to play better than that, but like I'll live with an 89, dude. Christ. For sure. For sure. Yeah, that's awesome. When we were growing up, we grew up in York, you know, like the first town. So when you're on the way up, yeah. So Falmouth, dude was always like the rich kids and they were so sick at hockey, you know. Every time I hear people back up at Falmouth, it's like that's so deeply ingrained in me that they're my arch rivals. I don't know. Have you ever played that track, Dan? Have you played golf up there? I don't think I have, but I mean, you were just talking about the Greens being so fast.

We were home for a wedding. I actually mentioned to you, we were back home for that wedding and our boys got kicked out of the Thirsty Moose Brewery. But we played in York and it was like one day we played, Greens was like a parquet basketball floor. The next day it had poured and the Greens were like putting through a mud puddle. And I was, you can't win. I was like, oh my God, I'm never going to do. That's why we love it. That's what brings us back every time.

exactly dude uh so anyway tomer was obviously pumped uh that you're coming on another alaska boy in the house and like we were talking before we even started the alaska crew loves alaska for sure but dude you love Alaska so i want to talk about that for a bit tell us about what he also loves main which yeah yeah yeah same i i love that you've got i mean this is a mutual love here yes i was guy was partially worried that Maine wouldn't even hold a candle. But it sounds like the love goes both ways. We're in it. Yeah.

So we'll get to Maine. But tell us just, you know, the things you love about Alaska. I know you've talked about this before, but how hard it was to leave. And like, do you see yourself going back there once the career is over and you've won 15 Stanley Cups? Like, is it back to Alaska then? Or, you know, talk to us about that? Yeah.

I hope we have enough time for this podcast. No, but, oh, man, I could talk about it all day. And, yeah, I think, you know, I think. you know, we can go a bunch of different rounds. But I think growing up there in general as a kid was one of the most unique things about it. And I think I definitely do one day want to move back there just to have my family and my kids grow up there and just see the wildness that you can experience outside your front door every day. And I think just the mindset that all Alaskans have on nature and life and, you know, just understanding that all is well,

in the world when you're hiking, you know, in the middle of nowhere, you don't have cell service. And you really don't know anything what's going on except for the here and now. And so that was some of the most incredible, you know, lessons I learned from growing up there. And the community itself, just so tight-knit. You know, you can't go to Costco without seeing, you know, classmates, teachers or coaches, especially in the hockey world. And the hockey community there is even tighter than, you know, the community itself there. So that was a couple of the most special things I learned.

and loved about growing up in Alaska. So, I mean, I can't wait to go back. And this is the first summer. I actually haven't gone back, unfortunately. So I missed it. I missed it big time. But it just makes you appreciate it that much more when you don't get that every day. For sure, man.

Is all the family still back there? No. It's like my turn to, you know, plant roots there next. Wow. Yeah. The responsibility has been put on your shoulders, dude. That's brutal. And it's been vocalized, too.

It's like, you're up. I'm like sick. Yeah, yeah. You're like, fuck and hey, guys. I know, yeah, here we go. But, yeah, my dad moved to Arizona. And I just, that was it. Like, that was my last, you know, home, right?

My childhood home. And I could go back there and, you know, sleep on couches, you know, with buddies and stuff. But I think it's cool to, you know, kind of get that detachment in a way and then come back and just kind of start your own path. And that's what I do want to do. And, you know, the summer house kind of vibe is what, you know, I'm looking forward to. But again, that's years in the future.

But, yeah, I'm going to have to put down roots there someday and make all the fam come back. Yeah, for sure. And you talked about how tight the hockey community is there. Does anyone stick out in your mind that when you were a young player up there that was kind of, you know, you were just watching on TV, maybe paving the way, giving you advice of how to make it in this game? Yeah, countless guys, man. And all our coaches that I had all played pro hockey. And we all looked up to that.

But obviously the ones that reach out are Scotty Gomez, you know, Nate Thompson, Dubinsky, Tim Wallace, Joey Crabs, and I'm sure I'm missing countless more. But those are the guys that, you know, really paved the way and obviously had success in the league. And, you know, always look forward to watching them when I got home from class. I know Tommer said on his last time, he was with you guys. He was like, we'd come home and the 7 o'clock games were starting, you know, right at 4.30, right? Dude, I never thought about that. Yeah.

It was awesome, man, especially to come playoff time. And, yeah, we'd walk home and I'd be so fired up and just sit on the couch and watch, you know, playoff hockey in the afternoon. They'd go hiking right after, you know. So it was that kind of stuff that made it so unique. And, you know, again, those guys are guys that now I've gotten to keep in contact with. And I remember skating, I was like 14 or 15. And I was invited to the pro skate for the first time. And I was so nervous.

And I was like, it was a summer skate. You know, these guys all coming back. For a while, we had a pretty good crew come back, like the JJ Johnson's and those guys. And, yeah, I got the call up somehow. And I remember just like warming up and, you know, getting my sticks tape and stuff. been really focusing in and competing. And, you know, we had great goalies like Drew O'Connell was out there, and Eric Shearhorn came out a bunch of times.

So it was just really cool to see that Alaska community that was making strides in the college and professional route come back, and we all got to train together. It definitely elevated all of our games. Amazing. Yeah, that's so awesome, man. It was what was kind of your route? You know, you don't need to take too long going through it,

but I always find it fascinating. listening to Tommer's story about how he got into junior and all the travel that you guys have to do to really play at that high of a level. What was it like for you? I wanted to stay in Alaska as long as I possibly could before I had to go. I wanted to ideally stay until I went to juniors. And I thought that was going to be a reality. I got tendered by the Kenai Brown Bears and the gnaw. And it would have been a perfect segue where it's a junior because it's obviously in Kenai, Alaska.

So I would have got to see family at times stay in Alaska and get some exposure with juniors. And I ended up getting cut at main camp. And so I was devastated. You know, I was like basically slated to be, you know, on the team. And I was promised, you know, head goalie starts as like a 16 year old and all this stuff. And that was something that, you know, I'm actually really grateful for today because if it was, you know, the premier, you know, golden child path, then I don't think I would be anywhere near I am today. So when I got cut, I kind of was on a scramble mode because it was like late August, early September,

and teams were already getting going, especially minor teams. And the fact that I was tendered, it didn't allow me to get drafted or seen by other junior teams than all. And I definitely wasn't good enough to be in the USHL yet. And so we were in total scramble mode and there was no U-18 team in Alaska. There wasn't enough kids to legit form a team. And so I was like, what do we do? And we ended up getting recommended this coach, Greg Van over out in Colorado Springs, by a couple of guys that had played for them in the past.

And they just said, this guy is going to get to the next level. And so we gave him a call. It was the same thing. We said, hey, we just got terrible news, got cut by Keeney, and we're begging for a roster spot here. And he said, well, I already have two goalies. Oh, I'm going to give you a chance. and I'm not promising you anything.

And you got to come in and win the job. And I said, I guarantee I will. You know, and it was just kind of like a really special moment, you know, and, you know, my career and my path because he wasn't promising me anything. And I kind of liked that because I was promised stuff before. And I said, that's never, never going to listen to that again. I'm going to make sure that I leave no doubt every time I touch the ice. And that year ended up being the best year of my life to this day.

Just the teammates that I had, the billet family that i had no let's amazing people that i still keep in touch with this day they actually came out to the winter classic it was awesome to see oh oh hell yeah oh yeah and so that year um ended up being great you know development wise personal wise uh the stuff i learned off ice you know living away from home at 16 uh is stuff that i still use in this day and um i ended up getting drafted by the seufal stampede that summer and went to camp and went to camp and and ended up making the stampede. So I did a year in the USHL.

And then basically that I was uncommitted still. I knew I wanted to go to college hockey route. And I remember playing my first game in Omaha where they had this USHL summer or fall showcase. And we did that tournament. And it was awesome. Like end up having a little bit of success. And then after that game, I had like 15 schools. wanted to talk to me. And it was like, I got sent in a locker room. And my coaches said, hey,

school are going to come talk to you. And I was in there for like over an hour. And it was like, that scene from the blind side, right? It was just like, yeah, yeah, yeah. I've never talked to a school before. And all of a sudden, you know, Ohio State, Maine, Minnesota. It was like, no way. So it was a pretty special, special moment. But obviously ended up meeting the coaches from Maine. and it was funny, like, what separated them from the other coaches was we didn't talk one thing about hockey. We just talked about what Maine had to offer nature-wise. Wow. It was unbelievable.

You know what? My follow-up was going to be how in the world. Coming from a Maine boy, dude, how in the world did Maine win out? My favorite part. All those schools. My favorite part, because I had a couple questions that you already answered. I was going to ask, like, what were the other teams that were banging down your door? It's so awesome.

And to be, you know, the bell of the ball. of a sudden. I loved that you, I read that you, you know, you grew up going to college hockey games with your dad. So college always felt like the right path. And I also saw you say, Maine was one of the few schools that wasn't like, you're going to start right away. They were like, dude, you're going to earn your minutes. And you just go through the Kenai thing where you're like, talk is cheap, bro. Like, I'm happy to earn my minutes. I want that. And then to hear you be like, well, Maine actually just told me about the hikes and the rivers you can fish in. I do, Orno usually has to hide that from everybody. But persuade. They were like, bro.

you can walk in the woods all day. They must have been so pumped up talking this way. They're like, this kid's from Alaska. We're going to push the fucking cold wilderness. This guy's a weird old. Yeah, and we knew it. There's your answer. Was it, at the end of the day, was it kind of an easy decision?

When you chose Maine, were you like, this is the right call? I'm 100% in on this. Or were there any doubts? What were maybe a couple of the other schools that you were considering down to the wire? Was anyone close? Like any other school, were you like, oh, maybe them? or was it Maine all the way? There was.

And, you know, that was the really fun process with it. It was like, you know, I was constantly on the phone with my agent and my dad and just kind of getting these, all this crazy recruiting. You know, it was like a good problem to have, right? Because you want to focus on, you know, your year. But at the same time, you're focusing on, you know, your future. And so it helped me a lot, you know, with time management skills and really understanding, like, focusing on here and now. And I think Maine did a really good job of that with allowing me, you know, to have time and make a decision.

And all they wanted me to do is just say, hey, come for a visit and the rest will take care of itself. And so I ended up agreeing to come for a visit. And I remember it was like a, it was a Sunday. We ended up playing the day before. And I got flown out on a small plane. And it was like three flights to get the bangor. And I'm like, I think we went out the night before and I was like, you know, kind of, yeah,

regardless. And so we're getting there. and I'm on, you know, flight three going in these small propeller planes. I'm like, where the hell am I? And we get out and Ben Gite picks me up and we go right to campus. And there was an exhibition game against, like, Xavier College. It was one of those college, you know, Sunday pre-exhibition games. And the place was jammed, like, to the brim for an exhibition game.

And I'm sitting there watching, I'm like, this is what college hockey is. And that's, it was like, that game just kind of sealed the deal for me. And it was just like, it wasn't the glamour that, you know, the Minnesota's had or the big 10 schools had. But it, it was like the culture and the feel and everything that you won college hockey. And so I fell in love right away, man. I was like pretty much still like on the edge. Like, you know, I want to experience other schools, like other coaches. And then I end up meeting red.

And that. that's when it was game over you know and so red you meet him shakes your hand his bare hand just takes over your whole fist right and it's like holy okay what's going to go on here and sits down he's got the white hair you know and it's complete classic college hockey coach and um we end up talking and the same thing man it wasn't about hockey it was about family and how he wanted to make me a better person rather than a better player. And he said basically like with his speech, he said, you know, what I'm going to help you with is not only going to become a better human here, but when you do that, you're going to become a better hockey player. You're going to play for

the crest. You're going to learn everything you need to learn to get to the next level. We're going to give you every opportunity to see to the next level, just all these truths coming out. I can feel it. And I remember calling my dad after that conversation and just telling him like, dad, I think it's, I think it's over. You know, I absolutely love this guy. I love Alfie. I got to, and Alfie wasn't even at the, he was a goalie coach.

He wasn't even a full-time coach yet. And it's why we FaceTimeed in with him. No way. It was the coolest thing. And he was just all excited. And the same thing, he was like, you know,

we're not guaranteeing you anything. We want you to come in and earn it. We have a starter. And we're going to give you opportunities to, to take it over. And that was it. And then all these other schools were just offering, you know,

you're going to come in as a true freshman. you're going to start we're going to get you games we're going to get you drafted or i was already drafted but basically we're going to get you to that next level and it was just all fluff man like i just i couldn't bear hearing it anymore because i've already been through that that road before right and that's when i look back on that time in keeney like how grateful am i to experience that at a young age rather than being in these crucial moments in our careers when it comes to college and pro and stuff so it uh it was all scripted in my mind and yeah red was definitely for the reason why I ended up going to be in the long room.

I love that, man. And it's, you know, making that decision where to go to college is such a huge decision. And I feel like we all have so many friends who have been through that. And I'm sure, you know, through, you know, whether it be USHL or junior or whatever, we've all had those guys who were promised something, then they come in and they're cut or they don't start. And they're like, Jesus Christ, I just committed four years of my life to the school. I'm not even playing. Totally.

You're right. It's here in the fluff is it's such a good warning to get. early in your life because then you can avoid the mistake later it's crucial but um if it weren't main where was uh maybe number two or three school man i mean i didn't visit any other schools yeah he knew let's go listen up folks may you may or know is where it's at it was no other school man is that crazy to say like um yeah i just i didn't uh i didn't even visit another school i was so I was just all in man and like that was so telling to me

it was like it was just I think the stars aligned and then I obviously hung out with the boys after saw the hockey house and it was just like a scene out of a movie and I'm like all right game over you know what I'm saying like this is the pinnacle of college hockey

and I loved it man it was a blast that's great dude who were some of you know we had a fun time talking with Tomer about the type of hockey that you watch we actually can relate to you know being out here on the West Coast you know, we're Bruins fans and it's the best when that 430 puck drop happens.

We're like, yeah, this is fantastic. You can get it going right away. And I always love hearing the stories being from Alaska, who you loved watching growing up, what teams you focused on. And I know that you were a big, holtby guy when you were younger growing up, idolizing him. Was he, you know, did you love the caps? What was the deal with that? Or would you just love the way he played?

And, you know, who were some other goalies that you kind of idolized or maybe modeled your game after? Yeah, I mean, you named it. It was definitely Holti. My dad was a Rangers fan. He was from Brooklyn. And so we had Rangers posters all over the house, you know, just with the classic garden pictures and stuff. And so I had to be a Rangers fan in a way.

But, yeah, Alaska didn't have a team, obviously. I like to just look at different goleys and model my game after multiple different goalies. You know, I was looking at the Kerry Prices, the Ben Bishops, the Tuka Raps. Exactly. But he was so different from my style, but you still learn from these guys, right?

And like, Packerine's and like Johnny Quicks, obviously. And, you know, it was just really cool to have that big array of these amazing goalies that have had success in the league for so long. And just watching them, I'm a visual learner, right? And so when I saw them and the tendencies that they had

and how they accepted plays and just their compete level, their skating ability to all out, you know, effort to stop the puck. I just wanted to model my game after that. And to this day, like, I definitely don't call myself a super cookie cutter goalie. You know, I just do whatever I need to do to stop the puck. And that's like when I have the most fun because I just black out and just have a blast getting in front of that little thing.

So it's awesome. And, and dude, Maine was a bit of a hotbed for goalies there coming in as you went there. Did you have, because we were big hockey East guys, dude, growing up. You know, our parents or my mom, our mom went to UNH. So coming from York, that was a pretty easy drive to Durham, you know, and it was a fifth of the price of a bees game. So we went to a million UNH games. And yeah, and it was so awesome. And did you feel, because you got, I mean, you were fucking nasty while you were at Maine the whole time.

Obviously, your third year was bananas. But the team was like, you know, fifth, sick or kind of middle of the pack. I think you would have made a good run at the hockey's title your last year without COVID shut it down, obviously. But how did you feel about the level of play of hockey east? Because it feels like to us there's been a little shift towards those Midwest schools, right? We're seeing Denver and Minnesota, North Dakota, everybody went over there. What did you think of the compete level at hockey east while you were there? That's a great point because I forgot to mention like hockey use was a big driver of why I wanted to go to Maine too.

Yeah, totally. And so like, you know, Alaska, West Coast, like when hockey East teams would come to town and play UAA, like we were in the WCHA back in day and they were sick. Like you got North Dakota coming and all these major. major teams and uh you know hockey's was like so foreign like my dad always kid he's like bc would never look at you like don't even consider it you know that kind of stuff and uh they didn't by the way so i took that personally but regardless it was like it was uh it was really cool to be in hockey's because exactly like you said like it's such a market on the east coast and like there were fans

there there was like five six seven bruin jerseys and the alphonde every night you know it was like just because i was drafted i never obviously played a game for the bees yet but that's like the love and passion that these guys these people have on the east coast for for hockey in general and then the maniacs are just a completely different breed you know and it's just I see you know 10 to 15 main jerseys at every bees game and it's just the coolest thing it is out of control and I think you know it is something to be said about hockey meets about you know people wanted the guys wanted to come play in hockey east because of the obviously incredible history that it's had the players that they've

pad and just to commute. You know, it's all bus travel. And that's actually, it's a big deal in college hockey because, you know, you're missing school. And, you know, I took school really seriously and I wanted to make sure that I got my degree out of this at the end of day. And I knew it was a possibility that I would leave early too. So I just wanted to make sure that I was getting all those requirements done and being

able to play hockey too. So that was a big thing about, you know, the travel being a lot less per se than the West school. So, yeah, I'm excited about that. I bet it was hard to, on the accelerated program, I bet it was hard to get homework done in the hockey house. We found a way. We found a way.

Don't we all? Don't we all? A lot of group study sessions. Exactly. No, but you're right, man. I feel like you got an early taste of it with seeing that exhibition game when you went up for your visit. It's like, you know, say what you will about a school way up somewhere like Orono,

but they do love hockey. The Alphon brings it, dude. And it's the same thing at the WIT and all across Hockey East. It's like the fans are there every single night. And that is such a huge bowl. It's awesome. And especially somewhere like Orono, it's, yeah, people are watching Boston sports, but it's like there's not a lot to compete with you, you know?

So it's the best game in a building for miles. So that's such a huge factor. You've got to love it. Yeah, you named it, man. And it's cool because it's a smaller campus too. And so you're walking around the next day and you're laughing because you saw the frat guy that was chirping you about, you know, you know, failing your economics test that day.

And then you'd watch you play BU that night. You know, it's hilarious. Yeah. It was so cool. So that's like a lot of my buddies were guys away from hockey too because it was just a smaller community and you're able to see, you know, great guys all over the place. Yeah.

So, dude, we've talked a lot about your love for Alaska and for Maine. And it's something that I've always loved about goalies. And actually through my career, I would get on my goalies because I played D. And I was a big. goalie guy. Like I, every game, every team I ever played for all, you know, up through, you know, mites, peewees, high school, junior, everything, I would always go straight to the net and take care of the crease for you so you wouldn't have to unless.

God, I love you even more. He does it in Mendley. I'm like, bro, what are you doing? I literally, I put the pegs. Yeah. You are. I'm like, my goalie will not do anything. But I would always get on my goalie.

is if they didn't have a sick mask set up. And you have a sick mask set up. And you got the state of Alaska outline in the back. And you've all always got, you've got the, it's not rocket science quote. So for the listeners, I want you to explain that it's not rocket science quote. And then also curious if there's going to be any changes to the mask this coming season. For sure.

No, that's awesome to hear that. I knew that because I loved you so much even from afar. So this is great. It all makes sense. But yeah, it was cool. like when I first got to start painting my helmets, I was really excited because, you know, I got this inspiration about doing state outlines. I don't know what goalie, but I knew Alaska was going to be like a really unique one. And I mean, you never forget your roots, right? And the only

reason why I'm there is because of the people there and the community. So it was really special for me to be able to do that and have that, you know, personal piece of it on the on the backplate. And then it's not rocket science quote is from Alfie, Alfie Misho. And, um, I mean, I can't say enough about that guy. I mean, to this day, we talk, you know, once a week, it seems like. I'm actually going to be going up to Maine in a couple weeks to do a goalie camp with him, just do some get some of the little guys out there and be able to skate. So I'm excited about that.

Yeah, totally. And, yeah, I mean, the conversation that we had, you know, obviously about hockey, but just about life in general, you know, is totally the reason why I have the mindset I do today. and just, you know, just get it to be in that Zen, Zen focus about, you know, controlling what I can control. And the sun rises tomorrow no matter what happened the day before. And so the thing that we used to use is, like, when I first got to Maine, I was all excited about, you know, the videos and, you know, this next level of, like, scouting.

And I'm like, oh, give me the shooters. Like, what are the percentages? And he's like, wait, we're not doing that. Like, you know, it's just, it's available to us. yes, but it was unnecessary to do so much because too much video and too much, you know, pre-scouting could be a negative thing too in a way because then you're expecting things to happen then when they don't, you know, hockey plays happen and you're in a complete wrong position. So we came up with this quote that it's not fucking rocket science way.

Like, you know, it's just, stop the puck, buddy. It's just getting in front of the puck and like, I don't know why, but it just clicks so well with me and I use it, you know, to this day, not only in hockey, but in life in general. And so it's something I get to look at, not only to remind me of him, but just to remind me that, you know, really it's just a game. It's not rocket science. We're having a good time, man, enjoy it. Yeah, that's beautiful. So is it going to stay the same for this season? I like to keep the backplate. Yeah, I think it would be cool to have a backplate the same throughout my whole career. So I don't think that's going, I love that, going away anytime soon. But this year is our hundredth or something.

centennial year. And so I think I'm going to have some fun with some old school, old school centennial stuff. So I have yet to make it. So I got to get on that. Good reminder. Nice. When you, when you get that done, I expect to text with a picture of it. I want that before everyone else. I need approval. I need approval from the man. Yeah, yeah, exactly. Send some info too. Whenever. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Dude, so you were saying, you know, you get drafted before you even get to Maine, which is amazing. But, and I know you've told this, but a lot of our listeners won't have heard it. Can you just tell that story again of when the draft was going down

and you're up in Alaska with the bad Wi-Fi and you think you're going to be a leaf and all that shit? Can you tell everyone that story? Totally. Yeah, what a unique one, man. I was at my breakfast table because, again, we're four hours behind. Yes.

I knew I obviously wasn't going on the first round. So the second round started at like 9 a.m. Eastern time. And, oh, damn, early for you. And so we were up early. And, you know, you're, no, Sway, Sway, you're like, you're like,

dad, we've got to get up at six. And he's like, you're not going in the fucking second round. Yeah, like, relax, yeah. Yeah. You're like, to practice, as to games and you'd,

you'd kind of talk to them after. And, yeah, that was my first year being eligible for the draft. And so, you know, there's a lot of hope. I think, like, on that, uh,

central scouting list. I was like a C-range prospect. So that was like, you know, fourth to seventh round, right? And so it was one of those things where we talked about going to the draft, but it wasn't necessary just a case, you know, that kind of thing and was very hopeful. But you just never know with the draft. And that was that. So I'm watching the draft online. I don't know what I pulled up, but regardless of my dad and I right there and comes in the third round, you know, nothing's happened. A couple goalies got to take. as expected and I got a text my agent saying you know I know Toronto was hot on you during the year so just like kind of be by your phone yada yada and so every time

Toronto came up we'd kind of like all right maybe we get a call you know what's up I was excited and so the fourth round came and Toronto was up like 110 and they picked a goalie and my dad and I like no way like it was actually it was like oh man man like, all right, maybe not this year, that kind of thing. And, you know, just kind of bummed, but at the same time hopeful still because they talk to, you know, other teams. But so we're sitting there and all of a sudden I get a text. And it's from my buddy, actually, from Alaska. And he was at the draft.

And he said, congrats sway. And I'm like, what? Like, what are you talking about? Yeah, like, you just miss. And so when I'm looking at the screen, next picks of Bruins, I'm like, all right, well, nothing's happened yet. And so then I get a call from my agent. And Mark, Mark, too, he's like,

Swagger Bruin, let's go, like, unreal. And I'm like, no, I'm not. Like, I can't see anything. And so I'm like, then my phone starts blowing up. And it's like real. And finally, I'm like, reloading this thing on and on and on. And it shows up. Jaron Swamette.

We had a pretty good celebration. It was totally unexpected, which was the coolest part. I think because you're so like devastated for one second and next second it's like new world opens up. So that was a pretty cool experience to share with them and and yeah, glad it turned out the way it did. Hell yeah, dude, it's what a roller coaster too. Oh my God. You think you're going. Totally.

You don't. You're like, shit. Okay. Like, I mean, what now? Like next thing you know, you're back on top of the world and it's like next whiplash. And being out there, you get the whole day. You know, East Coasters, they're celebrating their draft at night. dude, but you had the whole day to party.

That's incredible. Oh, I'm just saying, I think we got the family together, I had like a barbecue, and it was pretty fun. It was cool. Yeah, that's beautiful. So obviously you get scooped by the beast, and I'm curious, man, what was it like coming into that team?

You eventually, you know, you go to Maine, and then you end up with the Bruins, and you're in the same locker room with Tuka Rask. I need to know everything, because, like we said, these guys and Tuk, I just think is it makes no sense because he's a

Vezna winner and he is, you know, in my opinion, got to be a future Hall of Famer and I still think he's somehow underrated. I think Tuck is like the most diabolically good guy, good goalie and just person that we've ever seen and heard of. And I need to know what it was like learning from him

being in the same locker room as him. And we talk about how you're not weird. That dude is weird. And I want to know all Oh man, I love that guy. I've golfed him quite a bit this summer too, which has been awesome. Just like just continuing that relationship and friendship. But yeah, day one with him, it was him and Yarrow. So I came up and had two, you know, awesome veteran goalies right away, you know, just to kind of, kind of be around and learn from.

And we bonded pretty quick. You know, he's totally chill, right? He's just same way, like kind of an Alfie vibe. And goalie bob, for that matter. just totally chill and just like goes about his business and gets it done you know he gets it done which is what i always admired about him and uh you know no matter what was going on in the locker room or when the game he just always competed endless competitor and it was really fun to do like goalie sessions with him because his detail was actually spectacular like you know he's on game

close to a thousand it seemed like right he's played so long and he's still just hammering down on these on these goalie sessions and it was just really special to watch that and learn from that and so a lot of the stuff that he did i just i got to watch and learn from and then once we really started bonding and get to know each other off the ice it's uh it's developed it's such an incredible relationship because like you know i could text him for anything and not that we always talk about hockey because that's actually more beneficial i think and just to be friends and like talk about life and stuff that you know we can just get along with and and being able to golf with them and spend time with them like that has been a blast

and hearing his stories and whatnot so yeah I think the absolute world to him and I know that we're going to have a friendship for many years to come dude I saw he said when he retired you know he came back and then retired pretty quickly and he said something she did that puck ceremonial puck drop and said to you, you know, call me any time and I'm here for you for helping any way. I was going to ask you if you took advantage of that, but it certainly sounds like, yes, he's still in your corner at all times. Totally. He's got one of the best sonnas I've ever been in, too.

So that thing is, I got cooked in that thing. Oh, my God. Oh, yeah. So it's been awesome. This is at home? It's like at his place? Yeah. Yeah, he's got two sonnas at his place.

So if you don't like one, you go to the other one. Well, the fins, man, like they do it right. over there. Yeah. I love. It was awesome. Actually, when I went to Tompere for Worlds, I texted him, and I'm like, what do I do in Tompere?

And he texted me back and he goes, what do you mean? It's the best place in the world. It's where he's from. I didn't put that together. I'm like, oh, yeah, it's six. Yeah. And it ended up the best, the best place ever. Like, it was awesome.

So it was cool to, like, cheer that with him, too. Thank God you didn't say something bad. You were like, I'm going to do a shoole. probably. Yeah. You have no idea, right? It's Finland, so it's just totally new ground. What was Tuk like with the boys?

Like on the road? Is he clowning with the fellow? Like, what's the, give me, give me a funny, give me a weird Tuk story if you have one. I mean, yeah, he's total, like, he's just like a fun guy, right? And even at the wedding this weekend, pulled him out of the dance floor.

Like, he's just always in the mix, right? And it was just so fun. And yeah, like everyone, you can go to dinner with anyone and have a, good time and that's what uh you know we've always like had a blast and you know as soon the drinks get flowing it's even more fun so it's just kind of that stuff that we've uh we bonded with and yeah just uh everyone likes him and and uh super easy guy to get along with yeah i love how tukes also got the fire in him because he's got that amazing shootout blow up in providence and then the skate

blade throw throw like he's a chill awesome guy but he'll the wires will cross and that's that's a guy I want in the foxhole, dude. Hell you. 100%. That's great. I definitely. It's beautiful. I also need to know why he has two saunas.

Like is it is a space thing. He knows the boys are coming over or maybe it's just a he needs a sauna so bad in his life that if one goes on the fritz, he's got the back. It's like having a backup generator. All the above. Yeah. Exactly. And then would you say you touched on a little at the beginning, but would you say pretty similar experience with Linus kind of just learning from each other and, you know, steel sharpening steel.

all that with the tandem you got going now? Totally. Yeah. And that was the same thing, right? He comes in and just an awesome guy. You know, everybody could get along with him. And, you know, what I really love about Linus is that he like seeks to help, you know, and it's pretty cool. Like it's, he's done a really good job with, you know, managing me being a younger guy. And, you know, he knew that, like, if I was going through struggles, like, he knew whether to have like an arm distance or like come on in and be like, hey, so wait, like, let's talk. And it's actually a really incredible skill that he has because, you know, at times, like, he's

totally right. Like, guys need to go through the ups and downs of the league by themselves and really, you know, dig deep and understand, you know, how to get out of these ruts or these tougher times. But at the same time, he understands how beneficial it is to have that, you know, helping hand, someone to lean on. And I've really, you know, admired him about that. And, I mean, the guy, like, has allowed me to be literally a part of his family. Like his two kids call me Uncle Sway.

It's the coolest thing. Yeah. That's awesome. And I love Harry and Lily. You know, I love Mo and I love Lina. So it's like a totally like expanded, uh, friendship that's, uh, it's gone, you know, far above the ice. Like it's just so incredible to have that kind of relationship with your bully partner.

Yeah. Amazing. That's why it's so good. Yeah. So we got to this is, okay, here's the worst part of the pod, worst part of the interview. But it's, feel good that it's going to. suck equally for all three of us because we're also tough but we got to talk panthers series i have two big questions i think you just i just watched sway's soul leave his mom yeah yeah it's like

what are you going to say right now i have two big questions one and and by the way actually if some of this is like that's team that's inside baseball with the team then you don't have to answer but my two big questions are one after when going into game five so we're up where you guys are up three one we are up three one we're on the team yeah and yeah are you going into that game thinking like i'm probably getting the nod in this game right because like we've been kind of tandeming all year he just played four straight he hadn't played four straight since november so that's my first i'll ask them both you can answer however you want first question is by game five were you like i got to be getting a nod right now and then second question because i know you found out you were starting

game seven like the day before or whatever so i'm not asking that i'm asking did you know that lenis was like really banged up like did you know he was really being was really going through it that whole time or what was the deal with that? I mean, I think the best way to answer that is I expect to play every game. And, you know, and Linus knows that and Monty knows that.

Everyone knows that. And that's, you know, a precedent that I want to set, you know, first and foremost loud and clear. And I think, you know,

when I have that mindset, it allows me to be prepared without having to prepare. Yeah. Very well said. Dude, you don't have to get ready if you stay ready. A thousand percent.

And like, I know, I, enjoy it when I feel that way. Like it gives me confidence and I know it gives my teammates confidence and like I just I love routines and I love you know being fired up because it's Stanley Cup playoffs man like it is so easy to get motivated for that but in Boston it it completely elevates and yeah so I think that's the best way I can answer that is just always expecting the net and wanting the net.

Yeah. Fuck yeah. Dude, it must be so difficult for I mean. for Monty too, but like must be so difficult dealing with both of you who are absolutely firing all year. You know, we were actually having a conversation a while ago that the league is certainly changing towards way more goaly tandoms, right? Like it used to be these guys are getting 60 somewhat starts.

And if the league keeps going that way in the regular season, it kind of creates a question in the playoffs because like the playoffs start, do you go, oh, you switch back to this old model of like we're just going to ride this guy the whole time or do you keep giving the rest? So I totally get that and I love the attitude because that's the only way to survive it, right? You're like, dude, I'm ready to go. So I got the boys back at all times. 100%.

The other kind of bittersweet topic, Bergey retiring. Obviously, we don't need to waste breath on how important he was to the franchise. And I'm sure on a personal level for you and the boys that we couldn't even begin to describe. This is something I have for you, dude. Little detective work here. The video that came out of you guys. saying bye to him. You guys are all wearing what you were wearing on the exit interview day.

So you all knew like in May. But I am curious, like, was that hard for you guys to not say anything? Because it obviously everyone, every five seconds is asking questions about it. I think, yeah, I mean, we knew it was a possibility. And so I think that video was just for a safety net in a way. But like, you could tell, like, all of us are pretty emotional in that video in a way. Oh, my God. Oh, dude.

Yeah. I mean, a huge motivator for us the entire year was to win a cup for burghie and crutch. Like, huge motivator. And when we didn't do it, it just stung like so, so deep. And like, you could just kind of hear it in the voices, right? And yeah, I think, you know, it wasn't like our decision at the end of the day. I think they just did that video just in case. But, yeah, like we were going to give our all because we knew he would give his.

all if one of us was retired. Yeah. And so that's a, that's a comment. That's something that, you know, we took seriously. And I mean, I wish I could do another one because I love the guy. And, um,

you know, it's, it's been special. But guys been working out at Warrior every day. Dude, I was going to say we've been seeing him on the ice. He was picking up marshy at the wedding, dude. He looked great.

Yeah. You kidding. Okay. That was hilarious, by the way. That was hilarious. So, oh my God.

You guys realized what he was doing, right? Like their, their dance. Yeah. It was Charlie. I don't know if I did. It was Charlie Coils dance to his choreographed wedding dance. To the tee.

Oh my God. They remember that to the tea. It was incredible. And so, yeah, it was kind of like a jab. But like at the same time, you know, it was so well done. Like it was, they're just studs. Those guys are the best, man. Dude, it shows their chemistry, too.

It just goes beyond the chemistry. They knew Coils Wedding dance like that. Totally. Yeah, it was awesome, man. When they broke that out, I was in tears. Like, everyone was. It was like no way. So, yeah, just an awesome thing to see.

Dude, as his former teammate and obviously dear friend, what do you think is next for him? Do you kind of see him staying in hockey somehow? Do you see him taking a breather for a little while? Or what do you think is his path moving forward? Man, I hope so. Like, I would love nothing more than to see him around the rink every day still. You got to respect like 20-year career. You know, it's take a step back and be with his family, which is, again, another

incredible family. Steph and the kids are just awesome. Like, they're always around, you know, just supporting the guys. And it's really special to see when families get involved like that and they're just so supportive of the guys and obviously a burghie himself. So, yeah, I think I would love to see him and, you know, around the rink some more. And I'm sure that that's a decision that he'll, He'll come to eventually, but I'm going to his charity game tomorrow up in Quebec City with a few of the guys.

So we're going to be on the ice with him another time, which I'm super stoked about. So that'll be fun. That's awesome, man. God. What do you think, obviously this is so many great veterans on the team already and powerful voices in that locker room. But it must be weird trying to picture the season without him next year, right? So who do you think steps up and fills that void and, you know, who's trying to, no one can replace. What's the, remember the Titans line?

You cannot replace a Gary Bertier. You cannot replace a decrease Bergeron. But who kind of steps up in that locker room and has a voice? Yeah, there's no one that's going to replace him. I think we have so many guys that are able to do it, man. And I'm actually really excited to be a part of that next generation because as a younger guy that's started to be a part of this young core moving forward, it is really special to see, like, you know, when I first came in the league during COVID year, like how much these. these guys have matured into the leadership role. And so obviously I think, you know,

Marci is going to be awesome, you know, as a leader. He already is a leader. And we already have leaders, is what I'm trying to say. Like, it's just going to be an easy transition because these guys have taken it so seriously over the years. And so I'm excited to see those guys step up and take charge of the room. Including you, like you said, dude. Yeah, you guys having your turn.

I think exactly I was going to add. It allows guys like us, you know. Goalies is a job. It's kind of different, right? You don't want to be rah-rah, you know, in the locker necessarily. But, like, you know, Ergy was so good about when he was choosing his times to bring the boys together and see him, you know, when the guys are all in the locker room. And just verbal cues, man. Like, that's what it is for us.

Like, we're all in our zone. But, like, you just, you know what are you going to say, but you, when you hear it and it's like the passion that he comes with, it's like, let's go. You know, like, let's fucking go kind of thing. And I'm excited to see guys do it. And I know that I'm excited to do it too, right? And just like verbal cue, you know, in the locker room at different times. And I think to have a locker room with multiple guys speaking up instead of just one is going to be just as powerful. And Berge was a huge advocate of having multiple guys speak as one.

And like Felino was a huge one last year for us too. You know, it's just awesome to see the veterans that we've had in that locker and are getting again this year. So it's going to be really fun. Incredible. When does camp start? I think the 20th, September. Okay, yeah. So I can't remember if we were recording yet or not, but you said you decided to do Boston this whole summer. I read you were doing that. So talk to us a little bit about, you know, what do you've been doing? You know, like what kind of training you've been getting to this summer getting dialed up for next year?

Yeah, I stayed in Boston. And a big reason for that was the training that we have access to here is just top notch. and I've been sticking around Warrior and going to BU a little bit. And our trainers at Warrior, you know, just hands-on. I think getting that hands-on extra training is just because we use as programs. Kevin Neil, we use their program when we go back to our home states, right? But, you know, it's a little different working out in a public gym rather than, you know, Warrior or BU. With Bergey. Yeah, exactly.

And it's cool to be able to be able to. to compete with these guys because, I mean, Alaska is a little unique because, you know, exactly like I'm going back to a public gym. And I mean, I love working out there and seeing, you know, familiar faces. But at the same time, it's, it's a special thing to have, you know, kind of that structure during your summer and really focusing in on what I need to do to get better and the things I need to get better at. And then even with on-eye stuff, I've been able to jump out with Mike Donham and actually Andrew Raycroft jumped out one time. Oh, Razor.

I was golfing him the day before and I'm like, hey, Razor, you want a goalie coach for one time? And he's like, yeah, I do. And I'm like, really? Like, let's go. My God. I was so pumped. And so, yeah, the first shutout is going to be dedicated to Razor.

There we go. Yeah, it was fun. And so it's just awesome to see like all the people that, you know, want to help, you know, guys that stick around. And so that's been the thing that spoke to me most. Hell yeah. All right, dude, we're going to get you into a game we play with everyone. It's called pass shoot score.

It's basically merry fuck kill. Sure. Just a ranking system. Pass. We might have to tweak this for goalies, but, you know. Oh, a little bit. You know, basically it's like pass in the puck pretty good. Shooting's great.

Scorn's the ultimate goal. Obviously, this is if you're playing out. Well, Zway does want a goalie goal real bad. Yeah, I know you. I know you're not very jealous of that. I'm not very jealous of that. Work on it every day. So we're going to give you three things that mean something to you and you got to rank them.

So we're going to start off with food. So your first pass you'd score is dinner at Treska in Boston. Nice. Pats pizza at you, Maine. Or turkey meatballs from Janelle Falino. Wow. I mean, I think we all agree. Pats is not a food place, so we're going to be drinking there.

So, like, that's going to be, we love Pats. Don't get me wrong. We love Pats, but Pats's going to be PASS. And then that's a good loophole. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, like, we, yeah, it sits up there. It's a liquid diet.

Yeah. And so, man, I mean, you know, so awesome. Like, so good. And then Treska's been so good to me, too. given the context of when I needed those turkey meatballs, like I couldn't walk, although Treska delivered it to me too. It's so good.

It's like a tie, man. You put me in such a blender. Yeah, I've pigeonholed you here, brutally. You have, like, you thought about that one deep. All right. Yeah, shoot you know, and then, sorry, not shoot you know, but I'm saying, like, You know, turkey meatballs and chicken parm with pink sauce scoring that.

Oh, a pink sauce guy. Yeah, so you're a sauce crosser. It's so good there, man. Yeah, it's unmatched. That's true. They do, like, Treska is lit. It's like the pink sauce is on the menu. Yeah, yeah.

You get extra. You get extra more. Yeah. Yeah. I'll have a cup of it too. I don't even go to see the chicken. I just wanted to look at a pile of sauce. Wait, can you tell the, um, the,

Nick Folino story just when you got hurt and like how that all went down for everybody. Yeah, I would love to man. I mean, so I got injured in Pittsburgh early in the year. Just kind of a freak play. So guys slid into me and then my knee hyper extended my ankle went outside the post and then I got player going right through my knee and so my knee just kind of buckled backwards and it was one of those things like I've never been like laying down the ice before. So I'm like, all right, I'm going to Marshey and Berge here over there.

And then my trainers come out. Marci loves telling the story. He's like, he's like, I was, I guess I was saying like, I'm fine, I'm fine. Well, I'm a little fucked up. Well, I'm fine. You know. He's like, love stuff. Yeah.

It's like, just stay down. Just shut up. Yeah. And, yeah, so I ended up getting the MRIs the next day. And then by the way, like the Pittsburgh medical staff was so, they were all starts with that whole process and like just right away going to the MRI and getting that scan and so knew that it wasn't like a blown out near anything which was huge news and so I took the train the next day from New York to go back to to Boston and start getting rehab right away and

when I showed up at my house I had gotten a text like Fligie was like hey let me know in your home or something and you just like hope you're okay all that And so I texted him. I'm like, yeah, I just got back all good. And he's like, all right, you got a package downstairs. And I'm like, what? And he's like, yeah, I just go to walk, bro. Yeah, I don't.

He's like, go to the front desk and I go down there and there's two like massive like whole foods bags full of Janelle cooked like handmade chicken noodle soup, turkey meatballs, like salads and all this stuff that she knew I was living alone. and I was on crutches and so Fliggy texted her and told her to make me this incredible like smorgasboard food and so like it was like tears man it was like insane I couldn't I couldn't believe like the thought process that he had like he was really playing that night and he texted Janelle the night before you know I was like yeah yeah hey sway needs you and so it just goes to show like what kind of human you know Janelle is and obviously Fliggy for thinking like that you know just kind of reading the room and knowing the situation so like I'm obviously a Polino fan for life for many other reasons,

but that one just completely soars over anything that I've ever experienced. And what's cool is that I'm going to remember that as a young guy. And so when I'm in the position to be able to do that for another player, hopefully no one gets injured. But I'm just saying in any way, that's going to be something that I look forward to passing on. It's going to be Polino, you know, that I think of right away. God, aren't they the best? And that's it.

You know Fluey was thinking of that in the middle of the game. Yeah. And also, Janelle is so awesome that he was like, Janelle will crush this for me. Yeah. Like that's such a simple. Totally. And like I got like so, I mean, I can show you,

but like, um, the kids made me like artwork, like get well soon artwork too. And I'm still hanging it up on my fridge, you know? And it's like, hell yeah. It's amazing. Yeah. And I got like cards over here.

It's just incredible. Bro, I was about to make you a get well soon finger painting when that happened by the way i had a panic attack dude i saw your knee i looked at dan i was like he'll never walk again this our lives are over and then you were just fine like that was well he's a little fucked up yeah he's a little fucked up holy shit dude um okay here's your next one this is alaska stuff and this is a submission by the way from brad cheerhorn so shout out brad oh hilarious summit mount mckinley drain a hole in one at anchorage golf course or catch a 70-pound king salmon on the Kenai River.

But before you answer, before you answer, I'm willing to change the fishing one to the perfect rainbow trout while fly fishing at Fisher Lake in Palmer, Alaska, if that's more harder. Sure. Yeah, no. Well, it's funny. I caught a trophy there one time. So it's got it.

Yeah, so you know. You know what the stakes are. Yeah. It's a trophy fish. I thought he was going to put in moose's tooth there for sure, like something like that. Have you guys heard of moose's tooth? I don't think so. Oh, it's like the best pizza place in the world.

So, yeah, good. Glad you didn't put that on me. Made it easier. Yeah. Wow. Whole one at Anchorage Golf. I, what's the first option again? Summit Mount McKinley.

See, I would love to do that, too. I'd probably pass on that just because I know how dangerous it is and like. Fair. Yeah. We get a contract to think about, yeah. Maybe later in life, for sure. from Blaselma, Kill and won in Anchorage Golf for shoot, and then 70-pound king for score. Because that is epic.

That is epic, dude. Yeah. Good one, Brad. Yeah. Great job, Brad. I got to do some fishing up. We do a ton of fishing in Maine back home, but it's just like striped bass. You know, like I got to get up there and get into the halibut in the salmon game, dude.

Game changer. I would just add in the harbor, you know, a couple weeks ago, catching 46-inch strippers. I didn't even know they came in the harbor. No shit. It was insane. Oh, yeah, dude. It's good stuff. What were you using?

We had, uh, you had bait down there, yeah. We had top water, we call them dildos, but they're like dillies. So like the topwater, uh, spinies. Yeah, they're awesome. That's all we used, dude. Yeah, it's like the bass will, like come up and just smoke them and it's the coolest thing ever. That's all we use it. I love it.

It's my favorite. I mean, I haven't done fly fishing, which I want to learn. But that's my favorite way to fish because it's like, it's so much more active and seeing them come up and just smack that plug. Smack that dildo, dude. I'm actually stealing me. Dilly. Dilly. Yeah.

Smack the Dilly, dude. Real in a nice fat bass. 46, dude. That's fucking dope. Yeah, there were some awesome stuff. So we got good buddies down here. They're filled with Costa and sunglasses. So like the, yeah, so Joey Gugino and he hooks it up, man.

He's the man. Fuck, that's sick. All right. Gonna hit you with some hockey games now. Go ahead. So pass should score. Your first Sioux Falls Stampede game. making 48 saves in a 3-2 shootout win over Tri-City.

Your last game at Maine, which was also on Senior Night, making 48 saves again in a shutout win versus Providence, or your pro debut against the Flyers making 40 saves, including 23 in the second period in a 4-2 win. That's fucked up. It's insane. Oh, man.

Well, it's just hard. Funny story about that main one is that, we didn't know if that was going to be the last game ever in Alfon. Right. I mean, I just didn't know if I was going back the next year and stuff. And we had to win that game and somebody had to lose that game in order to have a home playoff series versus Yukon. Yeah. And so, like, we just didn't know, you know, if that was the last one.

And so, like, I was actually on that victory lap, like, crying. Like, again, like, I'm soft. Sorry, boys, yeah. No, same, dude. I'm such a crier. Talk to a couple of the most emotional. weak losers you've had it was it was just like so special because like you just didn't know if you're going to play in the alphalon again and it was crazy to think like that and then it just

kind of hit me um but man yeah the order should go on the order like as you said it like it's just as you advanced yeah it's hard yeah so that makes sense i like that yeah just i thought made the main one sneaky would win just because of the show i know it's so tough yeah but man like original six against the flyers, like that one was insane. And then I actually like, Tewks was there too. And so I got to like share that with Tewks as well after like we were on the, we were on the train going to the capitals the next day. Yeah, yeah, I guess hold on you.

Yeah. And he like, I assume and he came up and he said, you're having a beer with me. And we just talked like for an hour. It was the coolest thing. Like I really appreciated that. That was a special moment. Dude, you know what is cool about that? And this is something I never really considered.

We had Keith Yandelon, right? And he was talking about being a young player when you just kind of the vet. It's not like a given. You get to go out to dinner with the vets and have beers with them. Like they kind of got to like give you the nod or like the shoulder tap. So it's sick that, you know, you're like, you just got called up. You played one game in the national. You know, and Chukes is like, we're having a beer.

Yeah. It was. It was like one of those moments. You just, you don't forget. And like the same thing. It's like hopefully when I'm in that position, I get to do that and pass it on. So that's what I Yeah

I have a tip from that. We're going to redo that Pass shoot score, you know, later on, and we're going to put a new one in. That's the Stanley Cup. Winning Game 7 in the Cubs.

I think you know the answer to that one. Yeah. It's only going to be four games, though. Yeah. Okay, I like that. Deal. All right, so here's your next one.

This category, I'm just calling the creative arts, okay? Encompassing all the creative arts. Passhoot score, the red hot chili peppers, finding Nemo, the movie, or personalized of all the fish in the sea

homecoming signs to ask your date out. Wait, what? Dude, I have a deep cut picture of you. Wait, what? Deep cut picture of you making a sign, a homecoming sign for a date, dude. What's her name? I have it too.

Megan, Megan. I think you took a girl Megan to homecoming. Hand-painted sign, dude. You're a sick puppy. It is fucking perfect, bro. It says, out of all the fish in the sea, Meg C, homecoming with me. That's insane that you guys brought this up. You guys, all right, I'm going to get you back for that one.

That's awesome, though. Oh, man, I can't wait for you to come to Boston. That's good. What sucks is there's too much dirt. I'm dead. I'm dead. I'm dead. It's terrible.

It's insane. Yeah, why do we have this? All right, well, yeah, that one we're going to pass on just because that was a tough time in life, obviously. You know, just trying to fit in, apparently. And then shoot would be finding Nemo. Okay. Is that your favorite Pixar, though? Yeah, it's up there. I mean, it doesn't miss, yeah. I mean, Sway's got a fish thing, dude.

Oh, good. Good point. I didn't think about that. Yeah, I do. Yeah, weird. Now I'm weird goalie. Here we go. But the red hot chili peppers for sure. They're studs, man. I got to see the Fenway last year.

It was the best concert ever. Wow. Are they still your number one band? Yeah, man. Like them and Camp, you guys heard of camp? Hell yes. Yeah. So got to see them live a few times now.

They just, they don't miss. So it's been awesome. Dude, chili peppers at Fenway. That's a tough. Oh, it was electric. They don't miss. They don't miss. They don't miss. It's unbelievable.

They're still rock. They're like 70. They're just. Yeah, it's crazy, dude. They are on PEDs for sure. Because they did. It's incredible.

All right, dude, your last one will wrap you up. This is an activities category. Your pastured score is playing Bocci ball in the north end, taking ballet classes. Yeah. Or going for a long drive in Daurus.

Doris fuck she's a good girl um yeah is Doris still with us no Doris got sold just like the house it's insane yeah yeah well that's a double blow I know I just like the ship is that is hard

yeah Doris uh she didn't miss because she had the VHS cassette player and like it was just awesome like yeah my dad just loaded that thing with like almond brothers like dooby brothers grateful dead so it was pretty cool but um have to pass on doris because that was like a great chapter you know but she lived she lived a long good life dude 400,000 miles a good life yeah oh my god yeah just pieced together

and then what was the second and third option again uh botchy yeah and then uh ballet classes yeah um pass on ballet or sorry shoot on ballet because uh that's a tilt but uh botchy Batchy North End, we'll get your boys out there. You'll see, it's electric. Oh, dude, I love it. We are the biggest yard game slash beach game people you'll ever meet. Love it. Yeah, you guys are in.

You got into Bachi, I was like, oh, yeah. Can you please tell me about the league? Like, I was mesmerized to hear that there's like a local Bocci league in the North End. I'm like nervous. I don't know how to join, obviously, but like, I just, it's when they're out there, they got back right court and like, I don't even want to make eye contact because, like, I don't want to like. Yeah, dude. You know, but yeah, they have the league back there.

And it's just so awesome to see, like, the local North End, you know, folks just out there having a blast. So it is pretty cool. Oh, so sick, dude. I want to do that really bad. Is that your goat, yard game? Batchie ball. I mean, I like spike ball a lot and gets you moving a little more. Yeah.

Yeah. Spike ball is, though, like, you can't really half-ass spike ball. Yeah. You got really dial in and play for keeps in spike ball. So if I got a beer in hand, I feel like for me, it's either a bachie ball. Watch your Polish horseshoes. I love. Sure.

Yeah. Cornhole, too. Doesn't. Yeah, that's a fun one. That's awesome. Yeah, you guys went deep. That's crazy. Yeah, oh, you got to.

Awesome. And Sway, for the listeners, so they know it wasn't random, I heard that, because you took a ballet elective at Maine to help with, like, you know, balance everything. I heard goalies, like, still do that there. Is that true? Dude, I can say, I can jump in and say, I did a hip-hop dance class all four years of college for the same reason. And it helps so much.

Yeah. I'm with you, dude. Man, I wouldn't want to dance battle with you. That seems like, I'm on your, your wedding, dude. Pulling, like, filet-relevays,

you're doing backflips. Like, so. Depends on our audience, dude. If you've got a classical audience, they're going with you all day long. Could read the room. Definitely could.

Yeah. Yeah, I did take ballet. And at first, it was kind of just like a joke, just getting through, you know, electives and stuff.

But at the same time, it was actually so clutch because it did help, like groin strength, just like internal body awareness and knowing and like, yeah, end up taking it pretty seriously like where we were like sweating during class, you know? And so like, yeah, yeah, three of us, uh, we were actually supposed to do a recital as well and then COVID happened and like all the boys are all set to go.

No. I know. Oh, man. I would love that video and that's so bad. Yeah, it would have been a scene. But it is funny because like that was my junior year and ended up like using those tools a little bit just with my like warm up routine and stuff and alfie was like yeah we're going to continue this for our goalies so all the goleys have to take ballet now i'm like sorry fellas

left your mark on the program oh yeah i i tough you know anytime you main's recruiting a goalie they're like this it's great you're going to love the outdoors we do ballet classes it's unbelievable exactly great oh it's unreal um all right well sway we've taken up enough of your I'm in, but before we let you go, is there anything you want to shout out or plug before you get out of here? Man, no, you guys have been great. And obviously, just another shout out to the Alaskan people. And, you know, hearing Tomor's story, it was just so fun. Like, I reached out to him right away.

And I was like, dude, the parallels of our upbringing is so cool. Like, just how he was talking about, you know, UAA being a huge factor and stuff. So it was really special to share that with him. And I'm glad we got connected, man. Really appreciate you guys having me out. Absolutely, dude. Yeah. Our pleasure, man.

I was so surprised when Tomer was saying the same thing about like Gomer and stuff, the guys before him. You know, so I think that is, I was not aware, naively not aware of that bond and connection the Alaska crew has. But it's been such a cool thing to watch. And there's more guys in the league coming up, you know? So just like you and the Bruins locker, man, your trailblazen now. So keep it up. Oh, man. Appreciate that.

But yeah, totally doesn't happen without guys like him and Gomer. So it's just been cool to like develop a relationship with them. And again, like those are the veteran guys. that I've reached out to the younger guys and got that shoulder tap. You know, and like anything I need, you know, I can just shoot them at text. So it's pretty cool to do that. And, you know, I'm excited to kind of do that to the next generation and hopefully, you know, continue the great legacy that they built.

For sure. Well, dude, this will be the hopefully the first of many of you, times you coming on here because this was a blast. Yeah, definitely, definitely hope to be back. Thanks, fellas. For sure.