U.S.’ Jeremy Swayman expected to make Olympic debut against Denmark

Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan is making a change in net for the Americans’ second game of the group stage at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

After Winnipeg Jets star and reigning NHL MVP Connor Hellebuyck was solid in the Americans’ 5-1 win over Team Latvia on Thursday, Boston Bruins goalie Jeremy Swayman appears set to make his Olympic debut on Saturday against Team Denmark, as Sullivan told reporters after the morning skate that Swayman would get the nod with Hellebuyck serving as his backup, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press.

Swayman, an Alaska native and product of the University of Maine, is in his sixth NHL season for the Bruins. This year, he owns a .903 save percentage and 2.92 goals against average this season, a bit worse than his career marks of .909 and 2.64.

The 27-year-old has plenty of experience for the American national team, as he backstopped the U.S. to its first title at the IIHF World Championships this past spring. In the tournament, he went 7-0-0 with a .921 SV% and 1.69 GAA.

Swayman backed Hellebuyck up on Thursday, as the 2025 Hart Trophy winner turned aside 17 of the 18 shots he faced, and he was perfect after allowing a goal to Renars Krastenbergs that tied the game at a goal apiece in the first period.

After a first period in which the Americans saw two goals overturned and a 1-1 tie after 20 minutes, Team USA’s superior depth and skill took over.

Brock Nelson scored twice, while Auston Matthews and Tage Thompson added power play goals to put the game well out of reach.

With the Americans in the first half of a back-to-back scenario on Saturday, Sullivan will likely either go back to Hellebuyck or work in Dallas Stars‘ goalie Jake Oettinger for the USA’s final group stage game against Team Germany on Sunday.