The Boston Bruins had a brutal 2024-25 season that resulted in them missing the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Boston struggled throughout the regular season, and were well outside of the playoff race come time for the trade deadline. However, losing star defenseman Charlie McAvoy definitely didn’t help.
McAvoy is one of the best defensemen in the NHL. And he was recognized for his efforts in February, being named a member of Team USA’s roster for the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament. However, this tournament also ended up costing the Bruins star his season.
McAvoy suffered a shoulder injury during a game against Team Finland. He played against Team Canada a couple days later. However, he was hospitalized once the tournament went to Boston for the final few games. It came to light that the injured area had become infected.
McAvoy missed the remaining 25 games of the NHL season. It was a brutal injury that drew a ton of attention at the time. However, the Bruins star seems to be doing well, given his words on Wednesday from the Team USA Orientation Camp for the 2026 Olympics.
“I got healthy pretty close to the end of the season,” McAvoy said, via NHL.com. “If we had been in a different situation, I could have played. I would have played if we had made the playoffs, but it was probably for the best that I didn’t have to and gave my shoulder a full chance to heal and feel good this year.”
Charlie McAvoy Reflects on Team USA Experience
Minas Panagiotakis/Getty ImagesBoston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy represented Team USA at the 4 Nations Faceoff tournament.
McAvoy played well for the Americans when he was on the ice. And he did get to see his country nearly win the tournament. Unfortunately, Team USA lost to Team Canada in the Final. This defeat, plus his injury issues, certainly may have made this a negative memory.
However, the Bruins star is not looking at it that way. McAvoy has always wanted to represent his country on the international stage. And the 4 Nations provided him a chance to do so. It’s an experience he will remember for that fact more than anything.
“Going into [4 Nations], I think it was like, just the butterflies, the nerves, like this is the dream, is to play in this. The 4 Nations wasn’t a thing, so it was always Olympics. And then 4 Nations became a thing, and it still was very, very special,” the Bruins star said, via NHL.com.
How McAvoy Should Impact Bruins in 2025-26
McAvoy certainly hopes to represent the Americans this coming winter at the Olympics. However, his main goal is to try to help the Bruins make the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2026. And he’ll play a crucial role on this team.
McAvoy is the top-pairing right-shot defenseman on this team. He should pair with veteran Hampus Lindholm to form a rather solid top pair. Given his offensive ability, he will also quarterback Boston’s top power play unit this coming season.
Whether the Bruins make the postseason is certainly up for debate. What happens, though, McAvoy will be key to any success they have this year. The Bruins open the season on October 8 against the Washington Capitals.
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