Charlie McAvoy Set to Anchor Team USA’s Blue Line at Milano-Cortina Olympics
If Team USA is going to make a serious run at Olympic gold in Milano-Cortina, they’ll need their best players playing their best hockey. And right now, all signs point to Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy being right in the middle of that mission.
McAvoy was officially named one of Team USA’s alternate captains over the weekend-a well-earned nod to his leadership and consistency-but that’s just the beginning of his potential impact on the American squad. According to reports, McAvoy is expected to be paired with Minnesota Wild star Quinn Hughes on Team USA’s top defensive unit. That’s a pairing that should have opposing forwards losing sleep.
Let’s break this down: Hughes is one of the smoothest skaters and most creative puck-movers in the league. He sees the ice like a point guard and can generate offense from the back end in ways few others can.
Now pair that with McAvoy, who brings a rare blend of physicality, defensive awareness, and offensive touch. He’s the kind of defenseman who can shut down a rush, retrieve the puck, and transition it up ice in one fluid motion.
Together, they could form the most balanced and dynamic top pairing in the tournament.
And they’ll need to be just that, because Team Canada is rolling out a top pair of their own that’s equally formidable: Cale Makar and Devon Toews, the Colorado Avalanche duo that’s been a nightmare for NHL offenses. Makar’s game-breaking ability and Toews’ steady, two-way presence make them a tough match, but McAvoy and Hughes bring a different kind of threat-one built on versatility, speed, and complementary skill sets.
The pairing was spotted in action during a Team USA practice session in Milan, which was briefly closed to the public before media were allowed in. Once inside, it didn’t take long for observers to notice Hughes skating alongside McAvoy, confirming what many had speculated: this is likely the Americans’ top duo.
But McAvoy’s role might not stop there.
Power Play Potential: McAvoy in the Mix
Team USA’s special teams are still taking shape, but early indications suggest McAvoy could be pulling double duty-anchoring the penalty kill while also contributing on the power play.
During Monday’s practice, the focus was primarily on penalty killing, which meant some of the power play units were still in flux. Jackson LaCombe of the Anaheim Ducks was spotted quarterbacking the second power play group, but that may have been more about filling in for the day than a permanent role. LaCombe was also skating on the fourth defensive pairing alongside Noah Hanifin, which could hint at his status on the depth chart.
That opens the door for McAvoy to step into that second power play quarterback role-and if he does, it’s a loaded unit. We’re talking about a group featuring Jake Guentzel, Jack Hughes, Brady Tkachuk, Clayton Keller, and potentially McAvoy at the point. That’s not a second unit in any traditional sense-that’s a top-tier NHL power play group wearing red, white, and blue.
McAvoy has the tools to thrive in that role. He’s got the vision, the poise under pressure, and the ability to get pucks through traffic. And with the offensive firepower around him, he won’t have to do it all himself-just make the right reads and keep the puck moving.
A Two-Way Force on the International Stage
It’s not surprising to see McAvoy earning this kind of trust from Team USA’s coaching staff. He’s been doing it for years in Boston-logging big minutes, taking on top matchups, and contributing at both ends of the ice. Now, he’s poised to do the same on the world’s biggest stage.
Whether it’s shutting down elite forwards, breaking the puck out with precision, or running a power play stacked with offensive talent, McAvoy looks like he’ll be one of Team USA’s most important players in Milano-Cortina.
For Bruins fans, this is a chance to see their star defenseman shine under the Olympic spotlight. And for Team USA, it’s a major piece of the puzzle falling into place.