Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy became the fifth of the first six U.S. Olympians named to suffer an injury when he was hit in the face by a puck on Saturday, Nov. 15.
McAvoy left the game midway through the second period after being struck by Montreal Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson’s shot. He didn’t return to the game at Montreal’s Bell Centre.
The defenseman was bleeding and needed help getting off the ice.
Coach Marco Sturm said McAvoy was getting tested.
‘I know he’s trying to get the testing done, trying to get him home as soon as possible, hopefully tonight with us,’ Sturm told reporters after the game. ‘Other than that, hopefully he will be OK.’
Charlie McAvoy injury update
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that McAvoy was able to fly home with the team.
U.S. Olympians injury updates
McAvoy, who was unable to finish the 4 Nations Face-Off because of an injury suffered in Montreal, was one of the first six players named to Team USA.
Four others are currently out.
- Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk had offseason hernia surgery. He’s expected to return to on-ice activities in two weeks.
- Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk is recovering from October thumb surgery. He was on the ice on Friday and his original timeline has him out until at least Thanksgiving.
- Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes sat out Friday’s game with an undisclosed injury. He was hurt on Tuesday but returned to that game.
- Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews suffered a lower-body injury on Tuesday when checked by Boston’s Nikita Zadorov. He’s expected to miss a week.
Vegas’ Jack Eichel was the other player named earlier this year. The deadline for submitting rosters is Dec. 31.
New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes, who’s in the mix to make the team, had surgery on his finger after an accident at a team dinner on Thursday. He’s out for eight weeks.