Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Returns from Injury, Eyes Olympic Glory

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — After missing the final 25 games of the 2021-22 season with a shoulder injury, Charlie McAvoy is ready to get back to work for the Boston Bruins. The 27-year-old defenseman, who had been a regular in the Bruins’ lineup since his debut in 2017, expressed his excitement for the upcoming season and shared his experience at the United States Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp.

Recovering from Injury and Olympic Hopes

McAvoy, who represented the United States at the 4-Nations Face-Off, injured the acromioclavicular (AC) joint of his right shoulder in a game against Finland in Montreal on Feb. 13. After initially playing through the pain, he was diagnosed with an infection and underwent irrigation and debridement on Feb. 18. The Bruins finished the season without their key defender, missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2015-16.

What happened to me was simply bad luck. […] There’s no one to blame. It’s just bad luck that this happened.

“Charlie McAvoy, Apr. 17, 2022”

McAvoy’s return to the ice coincides with the Bruins’ entrance into the 2022-23 season, marking the first time in his NHL career that Boston begins a campaign after missing the playoffs. New coach Marco Sturm, who was hired in June, is leading the team in its quest to re-establish their playoff-caliber culture.

The Road to the Olympics

Following his injury, McAvoy was one of six players named to the preliminary roster for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026. His selection came after he took part in the United States Men’s Olympic Orientation Camp in February. McAvoy shared his enthusiasm for the opportunity to play on the global stage:

That was what we were all waiting for, to get a chance to play best on best. […] Here we go, and now it’s the dream come true.

“Charlie McAvoy, Apr. 17, 2022”

With NHL players set to participate in the Olympics for the first time since 2014, McAvoy and his teammates are eager to showcase their skills against the world’s best. As the Bruins look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022-23 season, McAvoy’s return to form and his Olympic ambitions will undoubtedly serve as a significant boost for the black and gold faithful.

Did you know?

• McAvoy was selected in the first round (fourth overall) by the Bruins in the 2016 NHL Draft.
• He played a key role in the Bruins’ run to the 2019 Stanley Cup Final, recording 23 points in 24 playoff games.
• The 2026 Winter Olympics will be held in Milan andCortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.

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