By: Jason Cooke | Follow me on X @cookejournalism
When Team USA takes the ice for the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, previous foes on the National Hockey League ice sheet will come together one final time to play for their crest — a reality of the tournament since the puck dropped last week in Montreal. For the United States contingent, Charlie McAvoy is certainly a product of that reality.
Most skaters on the Team USA roster dread the idea of McAvoy unleashing a booming slap shot from the blue line or being on the wrong side of a thundering body check during regular NHL action. However, when representing the USA, Jack Eichel and Auston Matthews have relished the opportunity to have the Boston Bruins’ top defenseman on their side.
“He’s such a big factor for us on the backend,” Matthews said following morning skate on Monday. “Just the way he plays, the physicality and everything. I thought the other night he was great for us. I mean, he made a big impact physically, and a guy when he’s out there that you have to be aware of when you’re going up against him.”
Matthews is one of many players rostered on Team USA with prior experience playing with McAvoy through USA Hockey’s national development program. That bond, paired with their pride for their country, has glued Team USA’s locker room together thus far into the tournament. The Americans are unbeaten through two games, knocking off Finland and Canada to clinch a berth in the finals on Thursday.
When McAvoy delivered a mammoth hit on Canada forward Connor McDavid during Team USA’s 3-1 win in Montreal on Saturday, it was one of the many moments Matthews was likely thankful to have McAvoy alongside him on the bench. McAvoy logged 19:27 of time on ice during the win and played a key role in the win for Team USA.
Vegas Golden Knights forward and North Chelmsford, Mass. native Eichel echoed a similar sentiment about taking the ice with McAvoy. Eichel, a fellow Boston University product, has flourished in the tournament with three assists through the opening two games.
“It’s been great,” said Eichel. “Obviously I know Charlie really well and he’s a good buddy of mine, so it’s been fun to be on the same side of things with him as opposed to having to play against him. But I think you see it when you watch, his play speaks for itself. I think what he brings to our group not only off the ice but on the ice, it’s been awesome getting to share this experience with him.”
Team USA head coach Mike Sullivan, McAvoy’s father-in-law, knew what he was getting with McAvoy in the 4 Nations Face-Off. McAvoy has delivered on his reputation of being one of the hardest players to compete against in the NHL. Sullivan also announced that McAvoy would be out of the lineup in Team USA’s Monday night matchup with Sweden.
“I know he’s a fierce competitor, and I witnessed that playing against him for all these years,” said Sullivan. “And obviously I take a particular interest in him and his personal respective career for obvious reasons. He’s part of our family, and we all have a vested interest in wanting him to do well and have success. But as a coach playing against him all these years, I’ve always known he’s a fierce competitor. He wants to win, (and) he’s a great teammate.”
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