Bruins select BU’s Charlie McAvoy with No. 14 pick in 2016 NHL draft
“Two-way defenseman."
Despite trade rumors surrounding the first of their two first-round picks, the Bruins selected defenseman Charlie McAvoy out of Boston University with the No. 14 pick in the 2016 NHL draft on Friday night. McAvoy is a 6-foot, 200-pound defenseman from Long Beach, New York who just completed his freshman year at BU, where had three goals and 22 assists.
Watch as #NHLBruins select defenseman Charlie McAvoy with the 14th overall pick of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft:https://t.co/W4UtrqQtoI
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 25, 2016
“Two-way defenseman,” McAvoy said of his style of play. “I can play the offensive side of the puck and that’s something I like to do, but I am growing a lot in the defensive side of the game.”
Prior to starting at BU, McAvoy spent two seasons with USA Hockey’s National Development Program. Turning 18 late in December 2015, McAvoy was the youngest NCAA player a season ago. Despite his young age, McAvoy said his transition to college hockey was a smooth one.
#WelcometoBoston, Charlie! pic.twitter.com/BvNlCANxt7
— x – Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 25, 2016
“It was a great year and its credit to my coaches and teammates for making me feel like I was a part of the family there and making the transition as easy as possible,” McAvoy said. “It’s an adjustment, but it wasn’t too long of an adjustment.”
A second Terrier reaches the stage… Charlie McAvoy has been drafted 14th overall by the @NHLBruins! #ProudToBU pic.twitter.com/gdxwqlccM0
— BU Men’s Hockey (@TerrierHockey) June 25, 2016
McAvoy was one of BU’s top defenseman last year, staring alongside Matt Grzelcyk, who was drafted by the Bruins in the third round of the 2012 Entry Draft. For McAvoy, he’s excited to start this journey with guys he is familiar and comfortable with.
https://twitter.com/Matt_Grzelcyk5/status/746510293967179777
“It’s crazy, I was joking with [Bruins general manager Don] Sweeney that Grizzy [Grzelcyk] and JFK [Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, who was drafted by the Bruins in 2015] can’t get rid of me, they’re stuck with me now,” McAvoy said with a smile. “They’re great players and unbelievable people and it’s going to be fun going through all this stuff with them.”
McAvoy is not expected to make an immediate impact as he should return to BU for his sophomore season in the fall. He wouldn’t answer the hypothetical question of what he would do if the Bruins offered him a contract tomorrow.
“[One] day at a time,” he said. “I am going to enjoy this, celebrate with my friends and family. We will worry about that tomorrow.”
Growing up in New York, McAvoy was an avid New York sports fan. But he sounded open to changing his allegiances after being drafted by the Bruins.
“Not necessarily, you grow up, I guess you’re taught not to like ‘em because of the rivalry, but I’ve got a Red Sox hat now, that’s the first step,” McAvoy said. “And now I got this Bruins jersey, so that’s pretty cool. I’ll keep growing, but I don’t know if I can be a Pats fan, but we will see. Give it a little time.”
This year’s draft class was deep with defensemen and the Bruins had a handful of them to choose from at No. 14. McAvoy was the fourth defenseman selected Friday night and the first American-born defenseman to come off the board. McAcoy will join whats now becoming a deep group of defensive prospects for the Bruins. Fans of the Bruins will certainly be paying a bit more attention to BU next season.
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