Boston Bruins players visited local hospitals Wednesday in Toy Story-themed costumes, continuing a 15-year tradition of community outreach.
Jeremy Swayman and his teammates traded their skates for cowboy boots and space suits on Wednesday. bringing a dose of the Pixar universe into the hallways of Boston Children’s Hospital. In an annual tradition that has spanned more than 15 years. the Boston Bruins’ Halloween visit saw players and staff moving through hospital wings. this time dressed as characters from “Toy Story.”.
Swayman, the team’s goaltender, took on the role of Woody, while defenseman Mason Lohrei dressed as Buzz Lightyear. The pair spent the afternoon greeting patients and medical staff, handing out goodie bags, signing autographs, and sharing fist bumps. For other players. the costumes required a bit more coordination; rookies James Hagens and Frederic Brunet navigated the hospital in a conjoined Slinky Dog outfit. while Michael DiPietro and JJ Peterka donned costumes as the “Pizza Planet” Aliens to visit other medical facilities across the city.
For Swayman. the event carries a different weight since he and his fiancée. Alessandra Iacaboni. welcomed their son. Briggs. in June 2026. “It’s one you circle in the calendar,” Swayman said. “You’re never going to miss it, and it’s just an incredible opportunity to get into the community. With families and kids going through what they’re going through here. to just be a small part to make them think about something different… it’s an impact that we want to be a part of.”.
This year’s theme follows a long line of Halloween costumes for the Bruins. ranging from superheroes and the “Super Mario Bros.” to “Barbie and Ken” in 2023 and Zdeno Chara’s memorable appearance as the pink bunny from “A Christmas Story” in years past. The initiative is a cornerstone of the team’s culture. one that bench boss Marco Sturm. who played for the Bruins from 2005-10. credits with shaping his own approach to community service. Sturm noted that his time in Boston inspired him to create a cancer foundation for children in his native Germany. “I played for a number of teams. but this. I felt like. the Boston Bruins always did the best job. ” Sturm said. “It just shows you the impact the community has even on us players and coaches.”.
Swayman. who holds the title of the Bruins’ Hockey Fights Cancer Champion—an NHL initiative focused on fundraising and awareness—emphasized that integrating younger players into these events is a priority for the team. “No matter what role you have on the team, you can still make an impact in the community,” Swayman said. “It’s really fun to see the new guys come in and have such a good mindset. and just detach from the game and understand that it’s a lot bigger than us.”.
Boston Bruins Boston Children's Hospital Jeremy Swayman Toy Story Halloween NHL community service