McAvoy Ready For Next Step in His Hockey Career

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Charlie McAvoy readied himself Thursday morning just as he would were he headed to a 9 a.m. physics class on Commonwealth Ave.
Things did not feel much different than they have during any other morning over the past two years. But when McAvoy left the house, he did not have any textbooks in tow.

His destination was not Boston University. Instead, the Bruins draft pick was headed to the Dunkin' Donuts Center to report for his first day of work.
"It's a big change, it's a big life change," said McAvoy, the 14th overall selection in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, who this week decided to forego the final two years of his college career and sign an ATO with the Providence Bruins after Boston University was eliminated from the NCAA Men's Division I Tournament.
"I feel like I've just crossed the path, opened the door to adulthood. That's obviously a scary thing for me, but it's something that I knew was going to happen here and it's something that is just a part of the process, as well as becoming the best player I can be.
"Obviously you're going to something new. But at the same time, there's an overwhelming amount of excitement for starting my pro career and working towards my dream."

The blue chip prospect hit the ice for his first professional practice - wearing No. 43 - and skated alongside 2013 second-round pick Linus Arnesson for much of the session. McAvoy will likely make his Providence debut on Saturday night in Springfield, according to P-Bruins coach Kevin Dean.
"Just acclimating myself," McAvoy said of his biggest goals over the coming days. "This is a great group of veteran guys here, some young guys who have a lot of experience. I'm looking to be a sponge and pull as much information as I can from those guys…just get use to the pro game."
The Long Beach, New York, native spent the last two seasons with Boston University, compiling eight goals and 43 assists in 75 games and helping the Terriers to the NCAA Tournament both years.
After BU's loss to Minnesota-Duluth in the West Regional Final last weekend, McAvoy - an assistant captain of the Terriers - knew he had a decision to make.
"It was something that I had in the back of my mind a bit," said McAvoy, a Hockey East First Team All-Star this season. "But you push it off because you want to be the best that you can be for where you are - for me, that was at BU.
"We left our hearts out there in Fargo, [North Dakota]. Unfortunately we didn't get the results we wanted, but following that I had a good idea of where I felt I was. And after talking to the people who I trust with my career and my well being, I felt like this was the right move."
It was not an easy decision, given the strong attachment he had built to the school and its community, as well as Terriers head coach David Quinn.
"I've just grown a lot in all aspects of my game," said McAvoy. "I think I've matured on and off the ice and that's a huge testament to the people that they have there on that staff, the guys like [assistant coaches] Scott Young and Albie O'Connell and Dave Quinn.
"All those guys were almost like parent figures for me, they helped me so much, not only on the ice but off the ice. I can't thank those guys enough for everything."

McAvoy will have another strong support system in Providence. Matt Grzelcyk, his former defense partner at BU, will be by his side, as will a number of players who McAvoy is familiar with from last summer's Development Camp.
"I've started that process today with some of the guys who I hadn't met prior. And the guys that I have met, rekindling that relationship has been easy," McAvoy said of catching up with his new teammates. "Everything today has been really good. Coming in I was nervous…it has been a very emotional week, but these guys have been awesome today and I can foresee a lot of good things."
Dean, however, is still hoping to ease McAvoy into the lineup. The 6-foot-1, 211-pound defenseman is unlikely to play against Albany Friday, but Providence's bench boss was confident McAvoy would make his debut in Springfield Saturday night and play alongside P-Bruins captain Tommy Cross.
"It's good for him to be around the group for a couple days…to get comfortable with the group and get to know him as a kid and not feel like he's out there on an island," said Dean. "It's a lot more than just playing the game. It's preparation, it's diligence, it's diet, it's all that stuff. It's stuff that he'll have to chip away and learn and that's why he's here right now. "
Dean said he has not had much of an opportunity to see McAvoy play, but likened him to a "thoroughbred" who "skates like the wind." The first-year coach does not intend to hold a player like that back.
"I want him to understand that he can make a difference," said Dean. "For him to be the type of player that he wants to be, he's going to need to make plays, assert himself, whether it's defensively, offensively, physically, whatever it is.
"For me, I would hope that sooner or later he's going to understand that he can step up and make a difference. When a player has a mindset that he can make a difference he can grow more quickly."
For now, McAvoy's mindset is learning as much as he can. Just don't expect to see him carrying around any more textbooks.
"My immediate goal is to learn how to be a pro and I'm in an environment here that's going to allow me to do that," he said. "I'm very thankful for that."

Fitzgerald Getting Acclimated

Bruins forward prospect Ryan Fitzgerald joined Providence last week on an ATO of his own after signing a two-year entry-level contract, which begins with the 2017-18 season.
The North Reading native and Malden Catholic alum, who spent the last four seasons at Boston College, notched two assists in his second game with the P-Bruins last Sunday against Hartford.
"It's easy when you're playing with really good players to do stuff like that," said Fitzgerald, who had 12 goals and 19 assists in 34 games as a senior at BC this season. "I think that's the first thing - just picking up the pace and keeping up with the play, you get rewarded on stuff like that.
"When you come down here you just see how much faster it is and it's something that you have to adapt to. Still kind of working at that and trying to pick up my pace and contribute."