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We learned a lot about Charlie McAvoy in Tuesday’s Town Hall meeting

April 21, 2020, 4:04 PM ET [1 Comments]
Anthony Travalgia
Boston Bruins Blogger • RSSArchiveCONTACT
The National Hockey League has done a great job during their shutdown due to COVID-19 of making their players available to the media and fans.

From unique zoom sessions, to player hosted Town Hall events, there’s been no shortage of player availability. Tuesday was no different as Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy hosted a Town Hall session with Bruins season ticket holders.

Unlike some of the past player availabilities, Tuesday’s session was more of a getting to know McAvoy as opposed to what’s become the usual series of questions surrounding what players are doing to stay in shape, and thought’s about a possible NHL return.

Much like you and me, NHL players are bunkered down at home, surfing through resources to pass time as we do our part to flatten the curve and inch closer to a return or normalcy in our everyday life.

“In the down time it’s been a lot of relaxing, a lot of movies, TV and playing some Xbox and stuff like that,” McAvoy said of what he’s doing to pass time. “Just trying to stay busy. There’s only so much to do. But we’re all doing our part, I’m doing my part to try and stay home as much as possible and hopefully flatten this curve.”

When it comes to hockey, like many others McAvoy started skating at an early age, beginning on roller blades. Quickly transitioning to the ice, McAvoy instantly fell in love with the game.

“I started playing hockey right around four-years old, my Dad had me on roller blades when I was three. So all the way back there I don’t have too much memory of my first time on the ice, I’m sure it wasn’t a pleasant one,” said McAvoy. “My youngest memories were around five or six, playing in a house league in Long Beach, New York.”

Also like many others McAvoy quickly feel in love with the local professional hockey team. Growing up in Long Beach, New York, McAvoy had a few local teams to choose from, the Rangers and Islanders included.

“I just fell in love with it and then from there you become a big fan of whatever team you choose. A lot of you guys is Bruins, and that’s awesome. For me I grew up a Rangers fan.”

Since joining the Bruins for their playoff series with the Ottawa Senators in 2017, McAvoy has developed into one of the game’s best all-around defensemen.

It’s not every day however that your NHL debut comes in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

“First it was a dream come true because it was my first NHL game and my entire life all I wanted to do was play in the NHL, and that was my chance. Then to have it be in that atmosphere, in a playoff atmosphere was just incredible,” McAvoy said of his NHL debut. “The nerves, the excitement, all of it just really was incredible. I can’t believe how much time has passed since then, it’s really flown by.”

Being a defenseman wasn’t always McAvoy’s plan. As a kid, McAvoy wanted to be a forward, scoring goals like all his friends were doing. But McAvoy’s father, who also happened to be his coach used his son to avoid conversations with other parents that he did not want to have.

“My Dad was my coach growing up as a kid. Naturally we all wanted to score all of the goals and be the sniper and all of that. For me, I was no different. I wanted to play forward and that’s what I loved,” McAvoy revealed. “My Dad, he was the coach and he said everyone wants to play forward. So instead of talking to the parents and tell them your son is going to play D, he didn’t give me a choice and just said you’re playing D.”

With how well McAvoy has developed as a defensemen from his time in youth hockey through the 184 regular season games he’s played with the Bruins, McAvoy’s father made the right choice.

The Bruins know a thing or two about good defenseman. You may have heard of that Bobby Orr guy that played in Boston, McAvoy certainly has. When asked what former NHL player he wishes he could have played with, McAvoy’s answer was a no brainer.

“I would have loved to play with Bobby Orr. He’s without a doubt the best defenseman in NHL history, Bruins legend and just an unbelievable guy,” McAvoy said.

“I think having him on the left, I’ll play the right and he can just go and rush the puck all day and I’ll stay back for him. That would just be incredible to have been able to play with him.”

He’s certainly no Bobby Orr, but McAvoy has had the benefit of playing alongside another of the all-time greats in Zdeno Chara.

“Playing with Zee [Chara] has been incredible. He’s just such a great guy, he’s our leader and all he’s been able to do in his hockey career is incredible to take a look at that. He’s a future hall of famer. Playing with him has been awesome and it’s something I’ll tell my kids about one day that I got to play with the big man,” said McAvoy.

Hockey players often have big decisions to make during their playing careers. Selecting a jersey number is often one of the first big decisions to be made. Some players have always worn the same number, while others do it to honor someone or wear the same number as their hockey ideal.

McAvoy’s story has none of that.

“I wish I had a better story for this one. When I was down in Providence they gave me 43, and that was just kind of ‘Here you go, here’s your number.’ Which was fine, I thought that was a cool number,” McAvoy said.

“So everybody at the beginning of the year picks a number at training camp, what number you would be if you had gotten called up. By the time that happened and I got the chance to come up there really weren’t very many numbers left. I remember 58 was there, 76 was there, a couple other ones that special players wear in the league, so I thought of that. I saw 73, and I wore seven in college so I thought that would be cool, and I just landed on 73.”

McAvoy has had some memorable moments so far in his brief NHL career. He hopes more are ahead. But even though it didn’t end the way he would have hoped for, last year’s playoff run that took McAvoy and the Bruins to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final is one he will never forget.

“My favorite Bruins moment so far was definitely making the finals last year, and that whole playoff run. Just everything about it is incredible, but just the emotional highs you’re on when you’re on that run,” said McAvoy.

“Every single game feels like a battle in the grand scheme of a war. After every win you just hug each other a little tighter and appreciate the moment even more. I don’t think there’s anything better than winning a playoff series, it’s so emotional. There’s something about it that’s just magical and we were able to go on that run last year and really come together.”

Whether it’s this year following the return of the NHL, or in years to come, McAvoy just hopes he has the chance to do it all again someday.

“I just hope that we have a chance to do it again because there’s something about it that’s so awesome and I’ll have that memory forever.”
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