Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman showed up to Fenway Park on Sunday with a special piece of new equipment, made specifically for the NHL Winter Classic on Monday.
In his locker was a custom-designed mask that featured three Red Sox superstars: David Ortiz, Ted Williams and Curt Schilling -- the latter of whom, like Swayman, was born in Anchorage, Alaska.
"I got the boys right on the mask. I got David Ortiz, Curt Schilling and Ted Williams. I was really excited to do some tributes to them," Swayman said as he took the helmet out of his locker.
The story behind Swayman’s mask starts with his fandom for the other Boston sports teams.
Swayman said he was already a Red Sox fan. “Yeah, of course. You can't live here and not be. It’s been fun to follow along.”
“I’ve been here for baseball games, and to be able to do it playing hockey on such an incredible event like the Winter Classic is just that much more special,” Swayman said.
He has made several trips to the ballpark in the past and described some of his best memories at Fenway Park.
“Everyone understands how historic Fenway Park is. It’s kind of like walking in a time machine,” Swayman said. “I was so excited to see the locker room and kind of go underneath and be in the bones of the building too, and this is one of the most unique experiences I've had.”
Swayman also had a chance to go inside the Green Monster.
"I've been in it. I actually signed the door one time,” he said. “I don't know who let me do that, but it definitely devalued it.”
Swayman played his college hockey in New England as well, in net for the University of Maine from 2017 to 2020.
Swayman is not expected to start Monday’s game, as coach Jim Montgomery announced Linus Ullmark as his starter. The mask will still look right at home on the bench, though.
Tune in to WEEI's Classic Broadcast featuring Gresh, Raycroft and Milbury from Time Out Market Monday from 10AM-2PM! Click here for more information.
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