After Monday night’s thrashing of the Columbus Blue Jackets, it’s officially time to write a piece gushing about our 19 year old hero, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
I mean, how else can you explain it? In his rookie season, Charlie McAvoy has become the driving force of the Boston Bruins top defensive pairing. To the casual fan, this outstanding play might be great, but to any diehard fan of the Bruins, what can this kid not do?
Here I am, sitting on my couch, still shaking with excitement over somebody in the National Hockey League just one year my senior. With Charlie’s Gordie Howe Hat-trick on Monday night, let’s break this down step by step.
The Fight
We all knew #73 has some tough blood in him. Even dating back to his time on the United States Junior squad, he had some memorable hard hitting moments such as this one.
We saw the gritty, hard nosed McAvoy come out again on Monday night. After Columbus forward Pierre-Luc Dubois took exception to a shoulder thrown by the ex-Boston University blueliner, McAvoy responded by taking down the man three inches taller than his own self:
Yep. Just got the butterflies, again. Mark that down as a 19 year old Gordie Howe hat trick, something done before by a certain forward named Milan Lucic. This kid is gonna be something else during his career.
The Goal
After inhabiting the penalty box for a five minute span, McAvoy soon found himself on the Bruins power play, and tucked a pass from fellow rookie Jake DeBrusk past reigning Vezina winner Sergei Bobrovsky.
Checking off Part 1 of the Gordie Howe. ✅ pic.twitter.com/8n1x1gAa2u
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) December 19, 2017
I mean, seriously? I’ve seen Waffle Houses less open than McAvoy on that power play. That’s a terrific example of Charlie’s offensive mastery, in only his first year.
The Assist
No video here, but plenty of room to take a break from the Charlie McAvoy fest this article has become. Remember all the drama about DeBrusk vs. Barzal? In that same draft, the Bruins took a player in the fourth round who has become a points monster: Danton Heinen.
With 3 points last night, that makes 21 points in 27 G for the rookie. Seriously? Even if he becomes trade bait (with the B’s needing some offensive firepower, it may be so), it’s certainly nice to see the Bruins hitting on a late round draft pick.
Next: Bruins top priority for the future
Closing Thoughts
After last night’s game, it seems as though the baby Bruins are firing on all cylinders. Rookies and sophomores in the black and gold are bringing speed, skill, and mental toughness to the table in a squad that looks primed for the stretch run. Get on board the train now, folks. This is gonna be fun.