The Boston Bruins are enjoying the 2026 Winter Olympics break, but not all of their players have time off. For Team USA, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy is set to be one of the top players representing his country, and he received a major honor ahead of the team’s action.
The 2025-26 campaign has been a bit of a grind for McAvoy, as he’s had to battle through a couple of brutal injuries to his face. And yet, McAvoy has still suited up for 45 games, potting four goals and dishing out 35 assists so far.
Unsurprisingly, McAvoy was one of the top choices to suit up for Team USA, as he appears set to play on the top defensive pairing alongside Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks. Not only is that a high honor, but it was also revealed on Sunday that McAvoy will be an alternate captain for the Americans during the Games.
“Auston Matthews has been named captain of Team USA at the Milan Olympics, with Charlie McAvoy and Matthew Tkachuk serving as alternate captains,” Chris Johnston of The Athletic shared in a post on X.
Matthew Tkachuk of the Florida Panthers will also be an alternate captain alongside McAvoy, with Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs serving as the captain. For McAvoy to be held in such high standing among a star-studded group is quite telling.
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McAvoy is once again dealing with an injury to his face after being on the receiving end of a dirty hit from Sandis Vilmanis of the Panthers right before heading to Milan for the Games, but he should be good to go for his team. Team USA will kick off its Olympic slate of games against Latvia on Thursday, Feb. 12.
