BOSTON –– Nothing could stop Charlie McAvoy during the 2025-26 season.
The Boston Bruins defenseman played just 50 games the year prior after sustaining a shoulder injury in February 2025 at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He made a full recovery during the offseason and came in ready to go. But, 19 games into the 2025-26 campaign, McAvoy took a slapshot to the face on Nov. 15 against the Montreal Canadiens. It broke his jaw and required surgery.
Adversity had hit once again, and the 28-year-old alternate captain responded in the only way he knew how – he pushed through it.
Against all odds, and following a grueling rehabilitation, McAvoy returned to the B’s lineup just 26 days later and went on to complete a career-high performance. McAvoy had 61 points (11 goals, 50 assists) through 69 regular-season games, which led all Bruins defensemen. He logged a team-high average of 24:23 per night while being the first-pair stalwart on the backend, and had the second-most blocked shots for Boston with 129, only behind Andrew Peeke, who had 135.
McAvoy posted 14 multi-point showings, including a three-point game in the B’s 4-3 comeback win over the Canadiens on Jan. 24 at TD Garden. His two goals on March 14 against the Washington Capitals forced overtime, and eventually a shootout, where Boston snatched the extra point in the tightly-contested Eastern Conference playoff race.
His longest point streak was nine games, spanning from Jan. 22 to Feb. 28; he had 12 points (two goals, 10 assists) through that stretch. In between that point streak, McAvoy represented Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026, helping the United States capture a gold medal against Canada.
McAvoy’s clutch plays and consistency despite the challenges he was facing earned him the team’s nomination for the 2026 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, as selected by the Boston chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association (PHWA). The Masterton Trophy is awarded annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.
The pride of wearing the Spoked-B shone through for McAvoy during 2025-26, as it always does, and motivated his teammates to give it their all each and every night.
