USA Hockey Foundation

For Charlie McAvoy, the chance to represent his country at the 2015 IIHF Men’s Under-18 World Championship while playing the game he loves was a dream come true. To top it off with a gold medal was something he’ll never forget.

The former Boston University defenseman made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins in 2017, and also spent multiple seasons in a red, white and blue jersey with USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program.

In all, he’s skated with the U.S. National Team on five occasions: twice as a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team (2017, 2018), twice as a member of the U.S. National Junior Team (2016, 2017), and once with the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team (2015). He’s helped earn two gold medals and two bronze medals over that span.

Still a mere 20 years old, McAvoy reflected on some of his best moments in the NTDP, and the people in his life who helped shape his hockey career:

USA Hockey: What are some of your favorite memories from your days with the NTDP?

Charlie McAvoy: Where do I start? The first is winning a gold medal with the U.S. Men’s National Under-18 Team. That was one of the coolest things I’ve ever been fortunate enough to do. You essentially go to the program for two years to not only get better and grow your game, but really the culmination of it and reason for it is to have success at that tournament. You get so close to your teammates and you build such great relationships with those guys. To top it all off at the end with a gold medal—it was a fairytale ending.

USAH: Why is it so important to you to stay involved with USA Hockey and NTDP alumni events?

McAvoy: This [USA Hockey Golf Classic] has been the first time that I’ve been able to do something and get involved (beyond playing for Team USA). Obviously, it’s been great to see the response in the wake of something so tragic as Jim Johannson’s passing. Just the kind of outreach that you’re getting from everyone—from all the guys I’ve played with and everyone who’s been part of the program or a World Junior team who got to know JJ personally. Seeing how he went about it, he was so passionate about his job and he cared so much about making those experiences and those tournaments such a great time. He really just went above and beyond. He was extraordinary. I’m not surprised one bit to see everyone coming together and I’m looking forward to this golf outing. I can’t wait to get out there for that.

USAH: In what ways did JJ impact your hockey career on and off the ice?

McAvoy: I think just granting me the opportunity to play on two World Junior teams, and he gave me a chance in asking me to play and represent my country on multiple occasions. It’s just so surreal every time you get a chance to do something like that. I’d always jump at it, and, without him, I’m not sure I would have had that opportunity. He meant so much to me. I was talking to his brother, John, at World Championships and I said, ‘I really hope he knew how much I appreciated everything he did for me in that regard.’ It’s such a tragedy and it hurts so much, but he was such an amazing guy and we’ll always have those memories.

USAH: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received so far that’s carried you through life?

McAvoy: I think it’s more just the foundation that was built, and it all started with my parents. I have an amazing mom and dad. My dad put me into hockey. Even away from the rink, they taught me the rules of life. I learned about working hard every single day and that no one’s going to give you anything. He just used to say that if nothing changes, nothing changes. If I didn’t make changes to certain habits, like working hard and wanting to go to the rink every day and doing off-ice training—if nothing changed in that regard, then nothing would change in terms of on-ice performance. My parents are the people who taught me how to be respectful and how to carry myself, and I’m so thankful for all the lessons they gave me. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.