Throughout the Winter Olympics, Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has given readers of The Athletic an inside look at Team USA.
At 28 years old, McAvoy, a former Boston University standout and three-time gold medalist in international tournaments, is in his ninth full NHL season. The top-pair defenseman to the right of Quinn Hughes is one of Auston Matthews’ two alternate captains at the Olympics, with Matthew Tkachuk the other.
His diaries have been edited for clarity and length, as told to senior writer Michael Russo. His first can be found here, his second can be found here, his third can be found here and his fourth can be found here.
Now, in advance of the United States’ gold medal showdown Sunday with Canada, here’s McAvoy’s fifth and final diary entry, and for full disclosure, this one wasn’t exclusive to The Athletic.
MILAN — The excitement is through the roof for this group. It was good today to have a chance to come out here and just get a little sweat in, get the blood flowing, stay active, stay moving. Everybody’s just ready to go. We’re so jacked up in there. It’s just the chance to make a dream come true tomorrow.
I think you try and just reflect back on some of the big games you had in your life (in order to not get overwhelmed by the burden). I know personally I have a few that I can pull from, how you try and prepare for them. At the end of the day when the puck drops, it’s just hockey. Obviously, the result and what we’re playing for is different, but the game is still the same.
So I think it’s important to remember that, and then just keep your emotions in check.
We’re thrilled for the opportunity that we’ve given ourselves. That’s the biggest thing right now. We’re a great hockey team. They’re a great hockey team. It’s gonna be a heck of a game.
Yesterday, I was taking some time to think about (how this is the end after such a long buildup). Like, even getting here, I remember that first day being like, “I’m gonna be here a while.” And then you start playing. And then that first three-in-four (games), and then, boom, the group stage is done. Quarters were done. Now the semis are done. It happened very quickly when we started playing once you were on the ice most days, staying busy. So it really feels like it flew by. Can’t believe that tomorrow’s gonna be the end of it.
We’re gonna be together (until game time). We’re leaning on each other, and we’re sharing this journey together. Meal after this. And I’m sure we’ll spend a ton of time tonight and just getting excited. But the sentiment’s the same for everybody. We’re just absolutely thrilled for the opportunity that we’ve given ourselves.
You’ve dreamt about this since you’re a kid, since the first time you watched “Miracle.”
I think it’s gratifying (to get Canada). You want to be the best, you gotta beat the best, right? That’s the old adage. So that’s what this has afforded us: this opportunity.