Don Sweeney

Last updated
Don Sweeney
Sweeney (8443932784).jpg
Sweeney in 2013
Born (1966-08-17) August 17, 1966 (age 57)
St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada
Height 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight 184 lb (83 kg; 13 st 2 lb)
Position Defence
Shot Left
Played for Boston Bruins
Dallas Stars
National teamFlag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada
NHL Draft 166th overall, 1984
Boston Bruins
Playing career 1988–2004

Donald Clarke Sweeney (born August 17, 1966) is a Canadian former ice hockey defenceman who played over 1,100 games in the National Hockey League (NHL), mostly with the Boston Bruins. He ranks among the top ten in many Bruins team statistics, including fourth overall in total games played. After retiring from hockey following the 2003–04 season, he worked briefly as a broadcaster before rejoining the Bruins as a team executive in 2006. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup when the Bruins won in 2011.

Contents

He is the current general manager of the Bruins, a position he has held since May 2015 after replacing Peter Chiarelli.

Early life

Sweeney grew up in St. Stephen, New Brunswick. In high school, he skated for St. Paul's School in Concord, New Hampshire. [1] He was drafted to the NHL by the Bruins out of high school, 166th overall in the eighth round, but he postponed his NHL career in order to attend college. He decided to attend Harvard University, where he lived in Grays Hall during his freshman year. He played hockey for four years there for the Crimson ice hockey team, where he was named an NCAA East All-American and an ECAC First Team All-Star in 1988. [2]

Playing career

Sweeney made his NHL debut during the 1988–89 season, having spent half of the year with the American Hockey League (AHL)'s Maine Mariners. In the following season, he helped the Bruins in the NHL to win the Prince of Wales Trophy by scoring six points in 21 games until they eventually lost to the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals.

In 1992–93, Sweeney played in all 84 games and put up 36 points and ended up winning the Adams Trophy that year. In both the 1994–95 and 1995–96 seasons he was second amongst Boston defenceman with 22 and 28 points, respectively. In 1997–98, Sweeney missed the last 23 games of the season with a fractured shoulder that he suffered on March 1. In the next season, Sweeney achieved 205 hits and 85 blocked shots in 81 games. In the 1999–2000 season, he had 301 hits and 84 blocked shots, and in the following year he had 172 hits in 72 games and in 2000–01 season he contributed 18 points in 81 games. In the 2002–03 season, Sweeney scored only eight points in 67 games as his team nestled into third place in the division. On November 14 that year, he also played in his 1,000th NHL game.

Sweeney played a total of 15 seasons and 1,051 games for Boston, being one of just four players—and two defencemen—in team history to play in over 1,000 games.

Since July 2006, he has ranked third on the Bruins' all-time games played list, while amongst all-time club defencemen, he ranks tenth in career goals (52), eighth in assists (210) and ninth in points (262).

Sweeney ended his playing career in 2003–04 as a member of the Dallas Stars. He retired with NHL totals of 52 goals and 221 assists for 273 points and 681 penalty minutes in 1,115 career regular season games. He added nine goals and ten assists for 19 points with 81 penalty minutes in 108 career playoff games.

Executive career

Following the firing of Peter Chiarelli as Bruins' general manager on April 15, 2015, [3] speculation had surrounded Sweeney's status within the Bruins front office, as Sweeney's early May 2015 meeting with Bruins head coach Claude Julien may have been an indication that as well as Julien remaining as the Bruins' head coach into the 2015–16 season, Sweeney could possibly have been in line to become the Bruins' next general manager. [4] On May 20, the Bruins named Sweeney as the team's general manager. [5]

On June 26, at the 2015 NHL Entry Draft and in his first major move as GM, Sweeney traded restricted free agent defenceman Dougie Hamilton to the Calgary Flames in exchange for the Draft's 15th overall pick (used to select Zachary Senyshyn) and two second-round draft picks. Shortly after, he traded long-time Bruins forward Milan Lucic to the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for the 13th overall pick (used to select Jakub Zbořil), Martin Jones and Colin Miller. Four days later, on June 30, Sweeney then traded Jones to the San Jose Sharks for a first-round pick in 2016 (29th overall, used to select Trent Frederic)

Sweeney guided the Bruins return to prominence in the 2018–19 season, winning the Eastern Conference Finals and securing a berth at the 2019 Stanley Cup Finals against the St. Louis Blues. Despite losing to the Blues, Sweeney was recognized as the NHL General Manager of the Year Award at the NHL Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jun 19, 2019. [6]

Personal life

Sweeney and his wife, former figure skater Christine Hough, have twin sons, Jarrod and Tyler.

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

   Regular season   Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1983–84 St. Paul's School ISL 22332659——————
1984–85 Harvard University ECAC 29371030—————
1985–86 Harvard UniversityECAC3145912—————
1986–87 Harvard UniversityECAC34741122—————
1987–88 Harvard UniversityECAC306232937—————
1987–88 Maine Mariners AHL —————61340
1988–89 Boston Bruins NHL 3635820—————
1988–89 Maine MarinersAHL428172524—————
1989–90 Boston BruinsNHL58358582115618
1989–90 Maine MarinersAHL110888—————
1990–91 Boston BruinsNHL7781321671930325
1991–92 Boston BruinsNHL7531114741500010
1992–93 Boston BruinsNHL84727346840004
1993–94 Boston BruinsNHL756152150122134
1994–95 Boston BruinsNHL47319222450004
1995–96 Boston BruinsNHL77424284250226
1996–97 Boston BruinsNHL823232639—————
1997–98 Boston BruinsNHL591151624—————
1998–99 Boston BruinsNHL812101264113036
1999–2000 Boston BruinsNHL811131448—————
2000–01 Boston BruinsNHL722101226—————
2001–02 Boston BruinsNHL81315183560112
2002–03 Boston BruinsNHL673582450110
2003–04 Dallas Stars NHL63011111850002
NHL totals1,115522212736811089101981

International

YearTeamEventResult GPGAPtsPIM
1997 Canada WC Gold medal icon.svg111346
Senior totals111346

Awards and honours

AwardYear
College
All-ECAC Hockey First Team 1987–88 [7]
AHCA East Second-Team All-American 1987–88 [8]
NHL
General Manager of the Year Award 2018–19 [6]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boston Bruins</span> National Hockey League team in Massachusetts

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston. The Bruins compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. The team has been in existence since 1924, making them the third-oldest active team in the NHL, and the oldest in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Stevens</span> Canadian ice hockey player and coach

Ronald Scott Stevens is a Canadian professional ice hockey coach and former player. As a defenseman, Stevens played 22 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Washington Capitals, St. Louis Blues and New Jersey Devils, serving as captain of the Devils from 1992 to 2004. Although offensively capable, his defensive play and his heavy body checking on opponents were crucial to his success.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Bourque</span> Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1960)

Raymond Jean Bourque is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He holds records for most career goals, assists, and points by a defenceman in the National Hockey League (NHL). He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman five times, while finishing second for that trophy a further six times. He also twice finished second in the voting for the Hart Memorial Trophy, a rarity for a defenceman. He was named to the end-of-season All-Star teams 19 times, 13 on the first-team and six on the second-team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sergei Gonchar</span> Russian ice hockey player (born 1974)

Sergei Viktorovich Gonchar is a Russian former professional ice hockey player who is currently a Defensive Development Coach with the Vancouver Canucks. He formerly served as an assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and has previously played for the Washington Capitals, Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Dallas Stars and the Montreal Canadiens between 1995 and 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paul Coffey</span> Canadian ice hockey player (b. 1961)

Paul Douglas Coffey is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played for nine teams over 21 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his speed and scoring prowess, Coffey ranks second all-time among NHL defencemen in goals, assists, and points, behind only Ray Bourque. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as the NHL's best defenceman three times and was voted to eight end-of-season All-Star teams. He holds the record for the most goals by a defenceman in one season, 48 in 1985–86, and is the only defenceman to have scored 40 goals more than once, also doing it in 1983–84. He is also one of only two defencemen to score 100 points in a season more than one time, as he did it five times; Bobby Orr did it six times. Coffey holds or shares 33 NHL records in the regular season and playoffs.

Jason Andrew York is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player in the National Hockey League (NHL) and current broadcaster. A defenceman, he played for the Detroit Red Wings, Mighty Ducks of Anaheim, Ottawa Senators, Nashville Predators, and last playing for the Boston Bruins during the 2006–07 season. He was previously a hockey analyst on Montreal Canadiens' broadcasts on Sportsnet.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Stuart</span> Ice hockey player

Bradley Stuart is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played in over 1,000 career games in the National Hockey League (NHL) with the San Jose Sharks, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames, Los Angeles Kings, Detroit Red Wings, and Colorado Avalanche.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marc Savard</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Marc Savard is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre and current assistant coach with the Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Atlanta Thrashers and Boston Bruins. He was an assistant coach for the St. Louis Blues during the 2019–20 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrej Meszároš</span> Slovak ice hockey player

Andrej Meszároš is a Slovak professional ice hockey player. He is currently a free agent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle McLaren</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Kyle Edgar McLaren is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks.

Keith Jeffrey Brown is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played sixteen seasons in the National Hockey League from 1979 until 1995. His first fourteen seasons were played with the Chicago Black Hawks. He helped the Blackhawks reach the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals, but missed the final round with an injury.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gord Kluzak</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Gordon Glen Kluzak is a Canadian former professional hockey player who played for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League (NHL) from 1982 to 1991. He was selected first overall by the Bruins in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dave Lewis (ice hockey)</span> Ice hockey player

David Rodney Lewis is a Canadian former National Hockey League (NHL) defenceman and coach. He was most recently an assistant coach of the Carolina Hurricanes of the NHL. He has both Canadian and U.S. citizenship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Chiarelli (ice hockey)</span> Canadian former ice hockey player and executive

Peter Chiarelli is a current Canadian ice hockey executive and former player. He is the Vice President of Hockey Operations for the St. Louis Blues of the National Hockey League. He previously served as general manager of both the Boston Bruins and the Edmonton Oilers, winning the Stanley Cup with the Bruins in 2011. Both of his tenures as general manager ended with his being fired, with his Oilers managerial career in particular a source of controversy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexander Edler</span> Swedish ice hockey player

Ulf Niklas Alexander Edler is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who is an unrestricted free agent. He previously played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted out of Sweden's third-tier ice hockey league by the Canucks in the third round, 91st overall, in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, and played junior ice hockey with Modo Hockey of the J20 SuperElit and the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL).

James Edward Nill is a Canadian former ice hockey player and the current general manager of the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nill played in the NHL throughout the 1980s with the St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, Boston Bruins, Winnipeg Jets, and Detroit Red Wings, retiring in 1990. Prior to making his NHL debut Nill also played for Canada at the 1980 Winter Olympics. He worked as a scout for the Ottawa Senators before joining the Red Wings in an executive role in 1994, staying with the team before moving to take up the general manager role with Dallas in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victor Hedman</span> Swedish ice hockey player

Victor Erik Olof Hedman is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman and alternate captain for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hedman was selected second overall by the Lightning in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut that year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnny Boychuk</span> Canadian ice hockey player (born 1984)

John Paul Boychuk is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. Drafted 61st overall in 2002 by the Colorado Avalanche, he played for the Colorado Avalanche, the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). In 2011, he was a part of the Bruins' Stanley Cup championship team. He was traded to the Islanders prior to the 2014–15 season, where he would announce retirement after six seasons with the team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urho Vaakanainen</span> Finnish ice hockey player

Urho Vaakanainen is a Finnish professional ice hockey defenceman for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 18th overall by the Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Devon Toews</span> Canadian ice hockey player

Devon Toews is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL). Nicknamed "Tazer", Toews was drafted 108th overall by the New York Islanders in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. Toews won the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.

References

  1. ↑ Shinzawa, Fluto (May 20, 2015). "Bruins name Don Sweeney general manager". Boston Globe. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  2. ↑ "12 Things to Know About Don Sweeney". CBS Boston. May 21, 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Bruins Fire General Manager Peter Chiarelli". boston.cbslocal.com. CBS Boston. April 15, 2015. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  4. ↑ Harris, Stephen (May 9, 2015). "Sweeney-Julien meeting suggests Bruins coach staying". www.bostonherald.com/. Boston Herald. Retrieved May 9, 2015.
  5. ↑ "Bruins Name Don Sweeney General Manager". bruins.nhl.com. Boston Bruins. May 20, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "Sweeney of the Bruins wins General Manager of the Year Award". National Hockey League. June 19, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  7. ↑ "ECAC All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
  8. ↑ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
Sporting positions
Preceded by General manager of the Boston Bruins
2015–present		Incumbent
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.