Jeremy Swayman’s journey to becoming one of the top goaltenders in the U.S. is nothing short of inspiring. Back when he played for the Alaska Jr. Aces and South Anchorage High School, he didn’t have the luxury of a goaltending coach. In fact, his home state didn’t even have a dedicated goalie school at the time. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has completely changed.
“Now there’s two or three, just in Alaska alone, so you can only imagine what it’s like around the U.S.,” Swayman shared. “To see how important understanding goaltending is now, it’s a reason why we’re producing so many great goalies.”
And great goalies, indeed! The U.S. is experiencing an incredible depth at the position, so much so that even with an elite talent pool, not all of them can make the cut for major international tournaments. The 4 Nations Face-Off is proof of this, and with the 2026 Milan Olympics on the horizon, the U.S. has an enviable “problem” on its hands—too many top-tier goalies to choose from.
A Golden Opportunity for Team USA
With Connor Hellebuyck at the top and Jake Oettinger also in the mix, Swayman might not even get to dress for the 4 Nations Face-Off. And here’s the kicker: an elite goaltender like Thatcher Demko didn’t even make the roster. That’s how stacked Team USA is right now.
“We feel pretty spoiled right now with the level that the goaltending is at in the United States,” said general manager Bill Guerin. “You need good goaltending to win—great goaltending—and we have a lot of different options. That’s a luxury. We feel very fortunate.”
The Tough Choice for Coach Sullivan
Coach Mike Sullivan has some difficult decisions to make. Who gets the nod between the pipes? Top center Jack Eichel summed it up perfectly: “It’s a good problem to have.”
While Sullivan has remained tight-lipped on his choice, the odds seem to favor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets star is currently on track to win the Vezina Trophy for the third time in six seasons. For Hellebuyck, playing for Team USA is a rare and coveted opportunity.
“The NHL wasn’t allowed to go to the last Olympics, so we missed that opportunity,” Hellebuyck explained. “Then you never know, are you going to get another shot? And you’ve got to stay in your prime for when that opportunity comes.”
And prime is exactly where these goalies are right now. Hellebuyck, Oettinger, Swayman, and Demko are all in peak form, making the decision for Team USA even tougher.
USA’s Goalie Boom – Not an Accident
This sudden surge of American goaltending excellence isn’t a coincidence. USA Hockey has been working behind the scenes for years, investing in development programs to catch up to the traditionally dominant goaltending nations like Canada, Russia, Finland, and Sweden.
One of the biggest moves was the creation of the Warren Strelow Goalie Mentor Program in 2008, which has helped shape the new generation of American netminders.
“I grew up in USA Hockey, did the Strelow and all those goaltending camps, and they always prided themselves on wanting to be the No. 1 country for goaltending,” said Oettinger, who played a key role in the Dallas Stars' run to the Western Conference Final last year. “I know all the stuff I did with them helped me be here, and the development process that I went through with USA Hockey has helped me separate myself and put me in the position I’m in now.”
The Goal: American Dominance in Net
Swayman, now Boston’s full-time starter, says the long-term goal is to have 51% of NHL goaltenders come from the U.S. Right now, it’s only about 20%—19 out of 92 goalies who have appeared in an NHL game this season are American. But those 19 are making a massive impact.
Beyond Hellebuyck, Oettinger, and Swayman, Dustin Wolf is turning heads in Calgary, Anthony Stolarz and Joseph Woll are holding down the fort for Toronto, and Charlie Lindgren was instrumental in getting Washington into the playoffs last season.
Hellebuyck, however, remains the gold standard. He’s leading Winnipeg to new heights and is even on pace to break the NHL’s single-season wins record.
“I don’t want to get his ego too high,” joked teammate Kyle Connor, “but I just think his mind—his ability to think the game and constantly learn—is one of his biggest strengths. He’s never satisfied, always stays calm in net, and just has this great presence. That mentality of just wanting to be the best and pushing yourself every day, it’s fun to watch.”
The Future of American Goaltending
Swayman, born after the 1996 World Cup of Hockey—the last major international tournament the U.S. won with NHL players—is fully aware of the responsibility on his shoulders. He’s part of the new wave that needs to uphold and continue the legacy of American goaltending.
“It’s my job, and obviously Hellebuyck’s job and Oettinger’s job, to continue that for the next generation of goalies,” Swayman said. “I know how inspiring it was for me to watch Jonathan Quick and Ryan Miller, guys who paved the way for U.S. goalies to make noise in the NHL and on the global stage.”
With this much talent between the pipes, the future is looking brighter than ever for American goaltending.
“I know we all take a lot of pride in that,” Oettinger added. “Hopefully, we can continue to put great goalies in the NHL, and I think the future is just getting better and better.”
If the current wave of elite U.S. goalies is any indication, American dominance in the crease may just be getting started.
Login