Black Bears garner top Hockey East awards

University of Maine junior goalie Jeremy Swayman has been named Hockey East Player of the Year and Red Gendron earned the Bob Kullen Award as Bauer Coach of the Year.

Swayman led the league in saves (782) and save percentage (.932). He tied for first in shutouts (3) and tied for second in wins (12). His 782 saves in conference action is the 10th-most of any goaltender in league history and the highest single-season total since 2010–11. Overall, Swayman led the NCAA with 1,099 stops.

His off-season has been equally impressive. On Tuesday, he was named winner of the Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England. The same day he signed a contract with the Boston Bruins.

The junior from Anchorage, Alaska is one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, the top honor in Division I college hockey. Swayman logged 2,060 minutes, recorded 25 games with 30 or more saves, and his 9.39 save percentage is second in the country. Fans can cast their vote daily for Swayman at hobeybaker.com/vote.

Gendron guided the Black Bears to their best Hockey East regular-season finish since 2011–12. They were seeded fourth for the Hockey East Tournament, which was canceled due to COVID-19. 

The Black Bears notched a sparkling 13-1-3 record at Alfond Arena and had the third-stingiest team defense in league play, allowing 2.33 goals per contest.