Charlie McAvoy Jr. is an American NHL defenseman and alternate captain for the Boston Bruins, as of January 2025. Charlie McAvoy spent his early years in Long Beach, New York. Initially attending Long Beach High School, he later moved to Pioneer High School in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and then joined the USA Hockey developmental team. McAvoy participated in the 2010 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with the New York Rangers minor ice hockey team. For two seasons, McAvoy played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program in the United States Hockey League.
McAvoy was also part of the gold medal-winning team at the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championships and the bronze medal-winning U-20 team at the 2016 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. As the 2016 NHL Entry Draft approached, McAvoy garnered high regard from scouts, being recognized as one of the top four defensemen available.
Charlie McAvoy Jersey Number
Charlie McAvoy shared the story behind choosing his jersey number, 73, during a town hall with Bruins season ticket holders. When he played in Providence, he was assigned the number 43. As he got the chance to play in the playoffs for the Bruins, he had to pick a number for training camp. With limited options due to some numbers being retired and some already taken, McAvoy considered notable numbers like 58 and 76. Eventually, he landed on 73, inspired by wearing seven in college and the uniqueness of the number. Despite the opportunity to change it later, McAvoy decided to stick with 73 as per NESN.
Charlie McAvoy’s NHL Journey
Charlie McAvoy signed an entry-level NHL contract on April 10, 2017, making his debut with the Boston Bruins on April 12, 2017, during the playoffs against the Ottawa Senators. Despite no prior NHL experience, he played a crucial role, earning praise from legends like Bobby Orr. McAvoy made his regular-season debut on October 5, 2017, scoring a goal and an assist. McAvoy scored a Gordie Howe hat trick against the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2017. In 2018, he underwent a procedure for supraventricular tachycardia but quickly returned to the ice. McAvoy's impactful performances earned him recognition, making the NHL All-Rookie team. On September 15, 2019, he signed a three-year, $14.7 million contract with the Bruins, followed by an eight-year, $76 million contract extension on October 15, 2021. In the 2022–23 season, he was part of the Bruins team that set NHL single-season records with 65 wins and 135 points.
McAvoy has won gold medals at every junior level, triumphing at the 2014 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the 2015 IIHF World U18 Championship, and the 2017 World Junior Championship. At the 2017 event, he earned the title of player of the game in the gold-medal match. Additionally, McAvoy topped all defensemen in scoring at the 2018 IIHF World Championship with nine points, securing the bronze medal despite limited participation due to the Bruins' advancement to the Stanley Cup playoffs' second round.
FAQs on Charlie McAvoy
A. Charlie McAvoy played his youth career with the U.S. National Development Team
A. Charlie McAvoy picked jersey number 73 during Bruins training camp, inspired by his college number seven and the uniqueness of 73.
A. Charlie McAvoy earns around $9,500,000 per season.
A. Charlie McAvoy attended Boston University for one year before signing with the Boston Bruins. He did not graduate from college.
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