By: Julia Simone | Follow me on Twitter / X @j_simone40
Boston Bruins Defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been named to the leadership group for Team USA in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. The nations in the tournament will be the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland. McAvoy will be an alternative captain alongside Matthew Tkachuk from the Florida Panthers. The captain of Team USA will be Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The 4 Nations Face-Off will kick off this Wednesday at the Centre Bell in Montreal and finish at TD Garden in Boston. Each team will consist of NHL players representing their nation. The NHL does not have any games scheduled during these two weeks, shifting all of the attention to the tournament.
Team USA general manager Bill Guerin expressed his thoughts on the Bruins defenseman joining the leadership team, “we are thrilled to have Auston, Matthew, and Charlie leading our team at the 4 Nations Face-Off…they all bring leadership skills in different ways and together represent the drive, desire, and passion we need in not only representing our country but in helping achieve our ultimate goal.” The leadership trio has played together twice on the international level for Team USA. The three helped Team USA win gold at the 2015 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship and bronze at the 2016 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Charlie McAvoy is coming off of an upper-body injury that sidelined him for seven games. He recently returned to the Bruins lineup. Prior to his injury, the Bruins defenseman posted seven goals and 16 assists. McAvoy is also a big part of the Bruins’ power play and will play a key role in Team USA’s power play in the 4 Nations Face-Off. He currently ranks second on the Bruins at 3:23 of power play action per game.
McAvoy will be able to experience a rare family connection during the 4 Nations Face-Off, as his father-in-law Mike Sullivan will be coaching the squad. Sullivan is currently the head coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins. McAvoy described the feelings he has towards Coach Sullivan, “really it’s something that none of us ever could have dreamed of. There’s no crystal ball that would have shown us that. It’s just amazing, and I know the pride that I’ve seen in my wife and just how proud she is of her dad and of me, and it’s just extremely special.”
Team USA will open the tournament on February 13th against Finland. The squad will then go on to face Team Canada on February 15th. Team USA and Team Canada are longtime rivals. All 4 Nations games will be broadcast on ESPN. Fans in Boston can also enjoy the 4 Nations Fan Village at City Hall Plaza from February 15-17 where there will be games and food.
Great article! I love that Charlie will be coached by his FIL. Keep up the great work. I look forward to your next article!