McAvoy shows he belongs
OTTAWA — The newest and youngest member of the Bruins said the enormity of the moment really hit home during the Canadian national anthem when, for just a few moments, he allowed himself to be what he really is: a kid.
Just 19 and only weeks removed from Boston University’s lineup and mere days from patrolling the blue line for the Providence Bruins, Charlie McAvoy admitted he just couldn’t resist lifting his head as he stood on the Bruins bench and taking a long enough look around sold-out Canada Tire Centre to get a sense of where he was and how far he had come.
“During the anthems, I was trying to get myself in a zone,” McAvoy said last night after logging 24:11 of ice time in his NHL debut, second only to Zdeno Chara among Bruins, in a thrilling, 2-1 win against the Senators. “Then when they started singing the Canadian anthem, I kind of did take a look up and see all the people and see how the place was really rocking.
“I was just trying to get a feel for things. It was a dream come true. And for an American kid just hearing the Canadian anthem, it was all kind of cool.”
As NHL debuts go, let alone ones made in the opener of the Stanley Cup playoffs, McAvoy’s could not have gone any better.
The Bruins came from behind to win on a late goal, on the road no less. Then all the ice time, more than 17 minutes (17:09) through the first two periods to lead all Bruins, some of it necessitated by an injury to fellow defenseman Colin Miller in the second period.
But McAvoy certainly won’t forget his first shift, something not lost on Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy.
“He got his indoctrination fast,” Cassidy joked. “First shift he tried to dump it in and it hit one of our guys in the back and came right back out.
“But I thought he was terrific, for a 19-year-old who came in and played like that in his first NHL game. Well, obviously it was boost for us, and we needed him. His composure was outstanding.”
The two happiest folks in the entire arena had to be McAvoy’s parents, Charlie and Jen, who flew in mid-afternoon from their home in Long Beach, N.Y. It wasn’t just another of the many road trips they have made to see their son play, from minor hockey to high school and college.
“They’re great hockey parents. They get it,” said McAvoy, who also logged more interview time than most of his teammates. “They texted me when they got here and said how great it was for them and how they were so proud of me.
“Now after I shower and get dressed, I can go upstairs and see them and go out with them. That’s cool too.”
And one story he will take from his debut undoubtedly has to do with lining up on the point on the Bruins power play with Chara.
To add a little perspective on that pairing, it must be noted Chara was building his case for a late-season call up to the New York Islanders with the AHL’s Kentucky Thoroughblades when his new teammate was born on Dec. 21, 1997.
“I thought he played well for his first game,” said Chara, 20 years and nine months older than his understudy. “He’s a good skater, and he makes plays.”
So did the Bruins captain have any advice for McAvoy in the days leading up to his debut?
“Maybe,” Chara said with a smile, refusing to expound.