Sweeney was born in St. Stephen, New Brunswick, Canada, and played college hockey at Harvard University. He was drafted by the Bruins in the eighth round of the 1984 NHL Entry Draft and made his NHL debut in the 1988-89 season.
Throughout his career, Sweeney was a reliable defenseman who could play in all situations. He was a strong skater and had a good shot from the point, which made him a valuable asset on the power play. He was also known for his physical play and willingness to stand up for his teammates.
Sweeney was named an alternate captain of the Bruins in 1995 and served as captain during the 1999-2000 season. He was a key member of the Bruins team that reached the Stanley Cup Final in 1990 and was a two-time NHL All-Star (1992, 1999).
After retiring as a player, Sweeney joined the Bruins front office as director of player development. He was promoted to assistant general manager in 2009 and became general manager in 2015.
As general manager, Sweeney has overseen a period of success for the Bruins. He has made several key trades and signings that have helped the team remain competitive, including acquiring forward Rick Nash in 2018 and signing defenseman Charlie McAvoy to a long-term contract extension in 2021.
Sweeney has also been active in the community, supporting various charitable organizations and initiatives. He has been involved with the Bruins Foundation, which supports youth hockey and other community programs, and has also worked with organizations that support cancer research and treatment.
Overall, Don Sweeney had a successful career as a player and has continued that success as a general manager. He is widely respected in the hockey community for his leadership and dedication to the sport.
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