Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman took part in the NHL’s Hockey Fights Cancer initiative on Thursday, serving as the team’s ambassador for the event. Though he had the day off from playing, Swayman remained actively involved in team efforts surrounding the cause, which carries personal significance for him this season.

Swayman highlighted multiple personal connections to cancer, particularly emphasizing the experience of his aunt Jill, who is currently battling colon cancer in Colorado. “She’s a woman that deserves the farthest thing from cancer,” he said, describing her as a devoted mother of three and a person who faces her illness with a positive spirit. Swayman expressed deep admiration and respect for her courage, framing his work with Hockey Fights Cancer as a way to honor her and others affected by the disease.

Following a shutout victory over the Nashville Predators, Swayman participated in a meet-and-greet session at TD Garden with pediatric cancer patients and their families. The event was part of a series of community outreach activities by the Bruins, including recent visits to local hospitals where players dressed as characters from the “Toy Story” franchise to engage young patients in a pre-Halloween celebration.

Among those who met Swayman was 12-year-old Juliana Pinhancos, herself a hockey player and lifelong Bruins fan from North Attleborough. Juliana attended the game with her parents and younger sister, who also plays hockey. She described the opportunity to meet Swayman as “really cool,” reflecting the impact of such interactions on pediatric patients and their families.

Swayman said he values these moments because they provide patients with a brief respite from the challenges of illness. “It’s exactly what we want to do,” he noted. With the recent arrival of his son Briggs, Swayman mentioned that his perspective on these visits has deepened. “Having a kid, it’s a different connection and a different world going in there,” he said. He expressed a desire to be a positive presence in the community and to support patients through difficult times, celebrating their victories as milestones.

Since joining the Bruins, the Alaska native has made concerted efforts to connect with the Boston community, becoming one of the city’s more recognizable athletes. He acknowledged the impact athletes can have when they engage locally, noting that despite Boston’s size, he has found meaningful ways to establish connections. “I found different avenues that I could be impactful on and have connection with,” Swayman said, adding that these experiences have made Boston feel smaller and more accessible to him.