Jeremy Swayman takes subtle shot at Joe Sacco, Bruins with confession after USA wins gold medal at 2025 IIHF World Championship

The USA struck gold at the 2025 IIHF World Championship thanks to a 1-0 overtime victory over Switzerland in the final. The Stars and Stripes crowned themselves for the first time in 92 years prompting a blunt confession from goaltender Jeremy Swayman who came off a dramatic campaign with Joe Sacco and the Boston Bruins.

The Americans are world champions in ice hockey once again, putting an end to years of heartbreaking defeats in the IIHF tournament. While it may not be the most prestigious prize in international hockey, it’s a significant achievement for many of the players who joined Team USA’s lineup after their NHL teams fell short of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The USA entered the 2025 IIHF World Championship as relative underdogs—lacking the household names and superstar firepower of teams like Canada, who were shockingly ousted by Denmark in a quarterfinal upset for the ages. But against all odds, Team USA walked out of Sweden with gold medals around their necks and an immortal snapshot: the trophy held high in triumph.

It may not be a storyline destined for documentaries or epic films, but the crowning moment at Avicii Arena was the perfect way for many players to wrap up their seasons and head into the offseason with a much-needed breath of fresh air. For Jeremy Swayman, it was exactly the kind of ending he needed after a turbulent year with Sacco‘s Bruins—a season where he was put through the wringer.

Boston Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco talks to his players behind the bench during the first period against the Utah Hockey Club at TD Garden on November 21, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts.

“I tell you what, this tournament and this group rejuvenated me as an individual,” Swayman admitted after the title ceremony, per NHL.com. “I gained so much more confidence. I found my game again. I was happy again. I just learned so much.

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“This year was obviously an up and down year for me personally, and to come here and be surrounded by such quality human beings and getting a job done, that’s a turning point for me in my life. I couldn’t be more excited for it.“

Turning the page

Swayman fell short of the expectations placed on him by the Bruins during the 2024-25 NHL season. Entering the year, Boston traded Linus Ullmark—an unmistakable vote of confidence that signaled their belief in Swayman to seize the starting role and run with it. But things didn’t unfold as the Bruins had hoped.

Swayman wrapped up his fifth NHL season posting career-lows across the board. He recorded a 3.11 goals-against average and a subpar .892 save percentage—both ranking fifth-worst among goaltenders who played at least 42 games last season. To make matters worse, Swayman allowed more goals than any other goalie in the league, conceding 176 tallies.

However, Swayman showcased a completely different facet of his game while representing the Stars and Stripes at the IIHF World Championship. He finished the tournament with a stellar 92.05% save percentage, a 1.69 goals-against average, and two shutouts—one of which came in the gold medal game when it mattered most.