Jeremy Swayman Offers 4 Nations Mindset Against Bruins Teammates

The 4 Nations Face-Off brings the best players in hockey in one setting, and it provides an opportunity to see Bruins teammates face each other.

Boston will have four representatives in the international tournament. Brad Marchand and Team Canada kick off the action Wednesday against Elias Lindholm and Team Sweden. Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman will be in action for Team USA against Team Finland on Thursday.

It’s unclear if Swayman will start over Connor Hellebuyck or Jake Oettinger, but the Bruins netminder had a clear stance on a potential face-off against Marchand.

“It’s professional. We’re business as usual here,” Swayman told reporters Tuesday, per TSN. “We’re wearing our jerseys and he’s wearing his. Of course, if I see him, I’ll say hi and give him a hug. He’s my boy. That’s the love of the game and the business of it. We’ll hug and kiss after. We’re gonna make sure that when we’re playing, we’re respecting our respective countries the right way.”

McAvoy offered a similar response to the prospect of meeting Marchand and Lindholm on the ice as an opponent. The 4 Nations Face-Off is the replacement for the NHL All-Star Game this season, and it should excite fans that the stars are taking the tournament seriously.

However, that might not stop Boston fans from wincing if there is a confrontation between Bruins teammates on the ice during the tournament.