Anchorage goalie Jeremy Swayman’s big week includes signing an NHL contract

It’s been a big week for Anchorage goaltender Jeremy Swayman, who is ending his college career at the University of Maine a year early to play professionally.

On Monday, he won the 68th Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.

On Tuesday, he decided to give up his final season at Maine to sign an entry-level contract with the Boston Bruins, who drafted him in the fourth round of the 2017 NHL Entry draft.

On Wednesday, he was named one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, the top individual honor in college hockey, and he was the only unanimous choice on the all-Hockey East first team.

And on Thursday, he was named Hockey East’s player of the year.

Swayman, who is 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, grew up playing youth hockey in Anchorage and played two seasons at South High before heading off for junior hockey.

He’s been an asset for the Black Bears since becoming a starter in his freshman year. In three seasons he compiled a 47-40-12 record with a .927 save percentage, with his best season coming in his final season.

Swayman this season led the NCAA with 1,099 saves, was second in the nation with a .939 save percentage and ranked 14th in goals-against-average at 2.07. He posted a 18-10-5 record, and in his final college game he turned in a 48-save, 1-0 win over Providence that lifted the Blacks Bears to fourth place in Hockey East.

In 2017, he won a bronze medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships.

Swayman is one of two goalies who are among the 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award. The top three candidates will be announced April 2 and the winner will be announced April 10. If he wins, Swayman would become the second Hobey Baker winner from Alaska. In 2006, Matt Carle of Anchorage won the award while playing for Denver University.