Charlie McAvoy Reveals Mindset For Season, ‘Have to Learn From These Things’

BOSTON –– Charlie McAvoy is staying on routine.

While the defenseman will miss the first six games of the regular season due to a suspension stemming from Game 6 of the Boston Bruins’ first-round series against the Buffalo Sabres in May, McAvoy is looking to the bigger picture and reflecting on his actions.

“I respect the opportunity to have gone [to the NHL] and tried to state my case and try to speak my truth on it…The reality of the situation is you’re just at the mercy of whatever they decide. It is what it is…I got closure out of it,” McAvoy said. “I am just preparing the same way that I always would. It’s just been the same thing as every other summer…Just ramping up now to try to put my best foot forward on day one. Obviously it will be a delayed start, but I’d like to hit the ground running – that’s the goal every year.”

Part of that process is participating in the Bruins’ Captains’ Practices, which took place at Warrior Ice Arena on Tuesday and Thursday. It is the final push before training camp opens on Sept. 16.

McAvoy is a competitor, so there is, of course, frustration that comes with having to watch from the sidelines once games begin at the end of the month.

“I lost my wits to a certain degree, and I have regrets about that. It is something that I have to learn from because it can’t happen for myself and the team,” McAvoy said. “And it won’t ever. I’m going to miss a lot of time, and there’s a lot of penalties that come with it. It’s another strike on my record, which drives me crazy because that’s not who I am. But I landed myself there, and I just have to learn from these things and try to be a better person and player.”

The 28-year-old used the summer to feel his best after facing what felt like never-ending adversity during the 2025-26 campaign. McAvoy broke his jaw and subsequently had surgery in November. He then revealed he was playing with a broken hand in the postseason.

​“You want to be 100%. You want to help your team. We play all year to get to that point and then to be hurt in the second game of the series, it’s not something you can outrun in the playoffs,” McAvoy said. “I got to a good spot. And then you can really ramp up in the summer. It was pretty good timing with getting healthy and getting to this point now where we’re still ramping and still trying to incorporate some new things that we weren’t able to do at the beginning of the summer. But overall, I feel really good about where my body is at.”

McAvoy had to wait for his hand to fully heal before he could dive into his off-season training. He was in a cast and had to keep his hand immobilized for some time after playing through the injury.

“Kind of frustrating, like even picking up the baby, there are just things you don’t realize stink to not be able to have that,” McAvoy said. “Once you get past that, just enjoy the summer.”

It is another fresh start for McAvoy ahead of the 2026-27 season, and he is looking to make the most out of it with the lessons he has gained.

“Persistence, I think – I know that whatever I face, I know I can make it through. Trying to use that to maybe be a more patient person. More patient with myself,” McAvoy said. “I know how tough I am. I know I don’t have to prove that to anyone because I know it and my teammates know it; my character and what I’m willing to put myself through and what I’ll try to fight through for my team and for the guys. I know that. I know who I am, and those things have pushed me. I’ve been able to show someone I’m proud of.”