Boston Bruins: Charlie McAvoy Named Assistant Captain Of Team USA

McAvoy To be Co-Captain of Team USA

With the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships only a few days away teams are finalizing their rosters. Team USA named BU’s Charlie McAvoy Assistant captain.

"“Pretty exciting, for sure,” McAvoy said by phone Tuesday afternoon, following practice at Team USA’s selection camp in Buffalo. “I kind of had an idea that I would be looked to for more of a leadership role on this team. I didn’t know to what extent"

McAvoy will be co-captain to USA Captain Luke Kunin. While the other A will belong to NCAA Rival Colin White from Boston College.

"“When you hear that you’re going to have a letter and be one of the three main guys on the team that are in charge of leading the guys, that was something that was pretty special for me.”"

McAvoy is one of the better Bruins prospects at defense, playing for the BU Terriers. He has played in 16 games so far this season and has 1 goal, 11 assists and an even plus minus.

"“I couldn’t be happier to have these three quality guys leading this locker room,” Team USA coach Bob Motzko told USAHockey.com. “We’ve been saying it every day that there’s a pulse with this group. We know Luke, Charlie and Colin are at the center of that through their style of play and their tremendous amount of heart."

McAvoy says that having a letter on his jersey is not going to change his play style. He is going to play his game and not let the “A” get to his head.

"“I don’t really think it changes much,” said McAvoy, who is also in the midst of his sophomore season at Boston University. “With or without a letter, I think I’m a very consistent guy within the locker room and among the group."

This will be McAvoy’s second appearance at the IIHF World Juniors. He played in all team USA’s 7 games, in last year’s tournament, where they won the Bronze Medal. McAvoy also played for the U-18 IIHF Men’s World Championship in 2015 where that team won the gold.

"“I think it helps a lot, having that experience of being there before and knowing how to prepare and what to expect for this tournament,” said the 6-foot-1, 185-pound blue liner."

McAvoy is trying to follow in the footsteps of current Bruins Defenseman Brandon Carlo who was a part of the previous two World Junior teams. For now McAvoy is just focused on the now and will worry about the future when it is here.

"“I’ve seen the path that he’s taken and kind of a lot like myself, playing in two World Juniors,” said McAvoy. “Especially his second year around – my first year – he was a bigger part of the team, which I’m looking to be this year."

"“I think that I’ve tried to polish a lot of parts of my game and to take on more of a leadership role at BU, too,” said McAvoy. “I think that I’ve done that and I think that, overall, things have been going very well"

Team USA Camp is moving to Oshawa, Ontario, today for an exhibition game against Switzerland.

"“I think I just expect our team to grow and get tighter as a group,” said McAvoy. “I think that there might be some growing pains as we try to build chemistry and become a real tight group, but I think it’s important to play these [exhibition] games and start getting on the same page.”"

Next: Bruins Should Consider Trading David Krejci

Team USA will most likely have their roster finalized by Christmas Eve. Just before their first game on December 26th.