Could Jeremy Swayman or Joonas Korpisalo make it playing outside of the net?
Goaltenders are the most important players on a hockey team. Often described as agile and technically sound, goaltenders are the last line of defense and the best penalty killers. As a result, they can directly impact the game’s outcome.
The Boston Bruins have been fortunate to have some stellar goalies put on the pads and defend their net, including Frank Brismek, Tim Thomas, Gerry Cheevers, Tiny Thompson and Tuukka Rask.
Rask and fellow netminder Andrew Raycroft have traded in their goalie pads and skates for forward equipment whenever they skate in the Boston Bruins Alumni Association games, but that doesn’t mean they would have made it to the NHL if they pursued a career outside of the crease.
Current Black and Gold goalies Jeremy Swayman and Joonas Korpisalo weighed in on whether or not they would have made it as a forward or a defenseman in the NHL.
“I’ve got a pretty good shot. But I don’t think my skating is nearly as good as some of these guys. I probably wouldn’t have made it past high school,” Swayman told The Athletic’s Fluto Shinzawa. “I think my pond hockey career could have gone pretty far as a forward. I was always a top pick in my pond hockey days in Alaska.”
Swayman compared his shot to that of Vegas Golden Knights forward Victor Olofsson, according to Shinzawa.
While Swayman doesn’t think he could have made it to the NHL, Korpisalo told Shinzawa he would have been a bottom-six forward like Philadelphia Flyers’ Ryan Poehling.
“Of course! Of course! I was a really good skater. Fast winger with a good shot,” he said. “A little physical. Third-line guy. PK.”
Fans may get the chance to see Swayman or Korpisalo play outside of the net after they retire — if they join the Bruins Alumni.
