Bruins reminisce over ‘special’ moments at World Juniors
McAvoy was 13 years old when the World Junior Championship first drifted onto his radar screen.
A hockey-crazed teen growing up on Long Island, the future Bruins defenseman was mesmerized as he watched the United States roll to the 2010 title, topping host Canada in overtime in the gold-medal game.
He figured it would be cool to pull on the Team USA jersey and play in the international competition that many consider the third-best hockey tournament after the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Olympics.
With the World Juniors kicking into high gear this week in Sweden, and Bruins rookie Matt Poitras participating for Team Canada — he potted an empty netter in a 5-2 win over Finland on Tuesday — McAvoy and some of his teammates reflected on their experiences in the elite competition.
“I remember watching John Carlson and that team that won in 2010, and right away, that was a dream,” said McAvoy. “I thought it would be unbelievable to play in that tournament.”
Little did McAvoy know that just seven years later he would be a central figure in one of the most memorable World Juniors in recent memory.
Though he won a bronze at the 2016 tournament, it was in 2017 that McAvoy became recognized as one of the top talents in the game.
The United States was one of the top squads, but the host Canadians were the overwhelming favorites.
Much like that 2010 team, the Americans pulled off the upset, beating Canada in a shootout to clinch gold at the Bell Centre in Montreal.
“It was really special,” said McAvoy, who was named Player of the Game. “We had a great run throughout and some incredible games and to finish with a gold was amazing.”
McAvoy had a feeling the Yanks would match up well against the Canadians. The US squad was made up of a lot of experienced players from the National Development Team.
“We had high expectations and we had a lot of chemistry
and a lot of good friendships, so we just carried that into the tournament, and I think that really helped us,” said McAvoy, an assistant captain on that squad.
McAvoy collected a pair of assists and posted a plus-3 rating in the 5-4 victory.
The atmosphere was electric. “I think we were matched pretty good against them,” said McAvoy. “We had played them and beat them earlier in the tournament, so we knew we could do it.
“That one was in Toronto. And then the finals in Montreal, and it was all Canadian fans, and their fans were loud and hostile.
“To do it in their enemy territory makes the story even more special.”
Brad Marchand also experienced success at the World Juniors, bringing home gold for Team Canada in 2007 and 2008.
Like McAvoy, Marchand grew up watching the tournament. But unlike his teammate, he never really thought about being a participant.
“I think as a Canadian kid growing up, you always pay a lot of attention to it,” Marchand said. “I really enjoyed watching it and I was a huge fan of the games.
“But yeah, I never really thought about playing in it. I just never expected to be that caliber of a player.”
But as his game grew, however, it started to become a focus.
“That was kind of the highest level I ever thought I would play, so it did become kind of a dream,” said Marchand, who of course reached even greater heights, with 385 goals, 890 points, and a Stanley Cup championship on his résumé.
“It is an incredible tournament to be a part of. Really happy that Matty got the opportunity to go play it.
“I think it’s one of those things where he’s going to have a very long NHL career. He is an incredible player and down the road I think he’s going to look back and be happy he went.
“It’s such a great experience to go over and especially travel in Europe and see some places that most kids at that age have never seen before and play on that stage. It’s a lot of fun and some of the best memories I’ve ever had.”
Pavel Zacha, a three-time participant (2014, 2015, 2016), remembers the atmosphere more than the on-ice results.
The Czech native, who noted his club didn’t medal during his tenure, pointed to a big win over Russia in Toronto in 2014. Zacha scored, while David Pastrnak registered three assists during the New Year’s Eve contest.
“That was a good memory,” said Zacha, who said he still pays a lot of attention to the tournament.