NHL’s Charlie McAvoy Hospitalized After USA-Canada 4 Nations Game

Boston Bruins star Charlie McAvoy was hospitalized following Team USA’s dramatic win over Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. 

“Charlie was admitted to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday to undergo testing related to an upper-body injury sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off and is currently being evaluated by Boston Bruins Head Team Physician Dr. Peter Asnis,” the Bruins announced on Tuesday, February 18.

McAvoy, 27, will not be available when USA and Canada rematch in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game on Thursday, February 20.

“The Boston Bruins will provide further updates on his condition and status as soon as they become available,” the team added. 

McAvoy suffered the injury during Team USA’s 3-1 round robin victory over Canada on Saturday, February 15. The first-ever 4 Nations Face-Off featured USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland in a best-on-best tournament. USA and Canada both advanced to the title game on Thursday at Boston’s TD Garden. 

It is not immediately clear when McAvoy was hurt, but the Long Beach, New York native laid a big hit on Edmonton Oilers star Connor McDavid during the 1st period of Saturday’s game, which helped set the tone for the heated matchup. 

“That hit Charlie threw on [McDavid] was kind of a game-changer,” Team USA defenseman and Columbus Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski said after the game. “He’s been known to do that. He’s great with his size, he’s really good defensively and I thought that was a perfectly timed hit to get our team going in the right direction.”

Team USA’s Matthew Tkachuk, a star for the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, echoed the sentiment about McAvoy’s hit. 

“That also is a message-sending moment, probably one of the plays of the game,” Tkachuk, 27, told reporters after the win. “They just scored a goal, the building was rocking and Charlie comes there and pops McDavid, like one of the hardest hits I’ve seen.”

Tkachuk did not play in Team USA’s game against Sweden on Monday, February 17, after also suffering an injury against Canada. In addition, the Americans were without Toronto Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews and Tkachuk’s brother, Brady Tkachuk, a star for the Ottawa Senators, due to injuries.

While no definitive word has been made, both Tkachuk brothers and Matthews, 27, are expected back for the championship game. 

Team USA and Team Canada meet again for the 4 Nations Face-Off title on Thursday, February 20, at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.