Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.
4 Bruins named to 4 Nations Face-Off rosters
Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman will both represent the United States in the tournament.
The Bruins will be well-represented during the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
The rosters for the four teams in the international tournament — the United States, Canada, Sweden, and Finland — were officially announced on Wednesday evening.
In total, there are four Bruins players who will represent their respective countries in the tournament, which will be held in Boston and Montreal from Feb. 12 to Feb. 20.
Charlie McAvoy and Jeremy Swayman will both play for Team USA in the tournament, while Brad Marchand will skate for Team Canada. Elias Lindholm will play for Team Sweden.
Both McAvoy and Marchand were initially announced as part of the first wave of player additions in June, with Swayman and Lindholm officially added to the rosters on Wednesday.
Advertisement:
“It’s an absolute honor,” McAvoy said during TNT’s pregame coverage ahead of Boston’s matchup against the Blackhawks. “I think some of my favorite memories that I’ve had in hockey have been wearing a USA hockey jersey.
“It’s something you dream of — kind of side by side there with wanting to play in the NHL, wanting to win a Stanley Cup, all those things. Wanting to be an Olympian, wanting to play World Juniors, all those things. That was it for me, and I can’t wait for this opportunity.”
Several other Bruins were viewed as potential candidates for their respective rosters.
Advertisement:
Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm might have been an intriguing addition to Sweden’s blue line, but a lower-body injury currently impacting him might have left him off the roster.
Lindholm was arguably Boston’s best skater through the first month of the 2024-25 campaign, but has been sidelined since Nov. 12 after taking a puck off his knee in a road win over the St. Louis Blues.
Lindholm has not returned to the ice yet, with Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco noting on Sunday that Lindholm still has “weeks” to go before he’s cleared to return to game action.
Joonas Korpisalo could have been a potential option in net for Finland after a solid start to his Bruins career (6-2-1, .909 save percentage, two shutouts), but the team opted for Kevin Lankinen, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and Juuse Saros.
Several ex-Bruins will also take part in the tournament, with Linus Ullmark serving in net for Sweden and Erik Haula skating for Finland.
Beyond McAvoy and Swayman, Team USA will also boast several local products in North Chemlsford’s Jack Eichel, Norwood’s Noah Hanifin, Boxford’s Chris Kreider, and Milford’s Matt Boldy.
Advertisement:
Speaking on TNT, Marchand said that he might not get many cheers at TD Garden on Feb. 20 if Canada battles Team USA in the title game.
“I think that’d be a tough one for the Boston fans,” Marchand said. “I think they’re gonna go with their hometown boy and cheer on America. I think it’s the first time — actually, probably not the first time we’d get booed in our building.”
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com