When Linus Ullmark learned of his trade to the Ottawa Senators, he had to make a difficult call to his close friend and fellow goalie Jeremy Swayman. The two had formed a strong bond during their three seasons together with the Boston Bruins, even creating a tradition of goalie hugs after each win. Ullmark shared his emotional experience on the “What Chaos!” podcast, describing how he was “literally shaking” during the call.
“There were a lot of tears,” Ullmark told hosts DJ Bean and Pete Blackburn. “I called him as soon as I talked to the GMs and my agent. I was shaking, trying to get the words out. It felt empty, like the end of what we built over three years.” Swayman reassured Ullmark, saying, “it doesn’t matter if we’re two miles apart or 20,000 miles apart, we’re still gonna be brothers for life.”
Their bond extended beyond the ice, with Swayman spending considerable time with Ullmark’s family. Swayman even dressed as Santa Claus for Ullmark’s children, earning the affectionate nickname “Uncle Sway.” Ullmark expressed his deep affection for Swayman, considering him a little brother and a beloved figure in his family.
Despite playing for different teams in different countries, Ullmark is confident that their friendship will endure. He plans to continue their tradition of bringing cinnamon buns before games when the Bruins and Senators face each other. Ullmark reflected on their bond, saying, “It feels like it’s forever. We might drift apart, but there’s always going to be a connection that pulls us together again, whether it’s in 10, 15, or 50 years. I can always look back at this as one of the best times in my life, and I have this wonderful person from my move to Boston.”
The exact date when the Senators and Bruins will play each other in the 2024-25 NHL season is still unknown, but Boston will release its schedule on July 2.
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