Bob Sweeney had an outstanding hockey record to support his decision to end his career.The Massachusetts native and Boston College alumnus played professional hockey for 16 years, spending six of those seasons with his home team, the Boston Bruins, twice leading the Black & Gold to the Stanley Cup Final. Sweeney scored more than 45 points four times and more than 20 goals three times.
However, his greatest achievements may have occurred in his second act.
Under his direction, the Bruins’ legacy of charitable giving has reached unprecedented heights, and over the past 22 years—16 of which he has spent as the head of the Boston Bruins Foundation—Sweeney has contributed to leaving a lasting impression on the New England community.
“Excellent. Ray Bourque, a longtime friend of Sweeney and former captain of the Boston Bruins, said, “He’s been made to do this.” “The Bruins Foundation raises money year after year while maintaining and establishing new relationships. It all comes down to his ability to connect with people, make everyone feel special, and build relationships.” He’s naturally gifted at that kind of thing.
At the 22nd annual Tradition gala at TD Garden on Wednesday night, Sweeney was given the hockey legacy award for his leadership of the Foundation and his six-year tenure with the Black & Gold. Alongside UFC founder Dana White, former Team USA women’s soccer goalkeeper Briana Scurry, baseball Hall of Famer and Red Sox great Dennis Eckersley, former Celtics head coach and 2008 NBA champion Doc Rivers, and Patriots Hall of Famer Kevin Faulk, Sweeney was honored.
It’s fantastic. Extremely merited, remarked Bourque. As a teammate, he was very important to us; he would be there for you, score the crucial goal, kill a crucial penalty, and have your back. Truly an all-around guy. He was our team’s chemistry glue, and from the middle of the 1980s to the beginning of the 1990s, we had a really good rapport. He had a significant role in that. That is limited to discussing his on-ice actions.
“His achievements with the Bruins Foundation…Bob has spent sixteen to seventeen years in it. He’s just a special man with a unique way of connecting and interacting with people. Seeing him recognized in this manner tonight is truly pleasant.
In the Ice
The development of Sweeney’s hockey career started in the MetroWest area of Massachusetts. The forward, who was raised in Boxborough and is from Concord, first played minor hockey for Assabet Valley and then Acton-Boxborough Regional for his high school team. In both cases, he was a teammate of goaltender Tom Barrasso, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame recently.
“Your first game, your first goal [in the National Hockey League] is something you always remember,” Sweeney said. It’s a little ironic that Tommy Barrasso was the opponent I scored my first goal against.That is something I will always remember.
After playing for four seasons (1982–1986) at Boston College, Sweeney was named to the All-Hockey East Second Team in 1984–85 following a season in which he scored 32 goals and 64 points in 44 games. In 1983, he also contributed to the Eagles’ Beanpot victory in his rookie campaign.
Sweeney was selected by the Bruins with the 123rd overall pick (sixth round) in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft, shortly before he moved to The Heights. After graduating from BC, Sweeney signed with the Bruins’ American Hockey League affiliate in Moncton. On January 24, 1987, he was called up for his first game against Calgary and assisted on a goal by Dwight Foster as the Bruins defeated the Flames 5-3 at Boston Garden.
“Well, my first game was one of my favorite memories,” Sweeney remarked. Ray’s stall was directly next to mine. I will always remember that. We played a game called Calgary on a Saturday afternoon.I will always remember how Ray put me at ease and gave me a sense of belonging. You’ll never forget your first experience as a hometown child skating on the ice.
Bourque and Sweeney have maintained their relationship to this day.
We were all quite close. That team, which made it to the 1988 Cup Finals, most likely began in 1986 and played for us until the early 1990s, according to Bourque. “Those guys were a really unique group. The group that has meant the most to me personally and professionally. Since then, those connections have persisted. One of my closest friends is Bob.
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