Bruins Defenseman Charlie McAvoy Speaks After Suspension Appeal Denied

BRIGHTON, Mass. – For the first time since he was suspended for four games after his illegal hit to the head on Florida defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson on Oct. 30, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy spoke to the media on Thursday ahead of Boston’s 7 p.m. game against the New York Islanders.

Thursday will serve as the final game of his suspension, which he unsuccessfully appealed to have reduced.

“I appreciated Mr. [Gary] Bettman and his team taking the time, and they seemed very receptive to what we had and our arguments, which I felt really good about,” McAvoy said. “I thought we made some really good points.”

NHL Rule 48 defines an illegal hit to the head as “a lateral or blind-side hit to an opponent where the head is targeted and/or the principal point of contact is not permitted.” Illegal checks to the head result in a minimum of a two-game suspension, but McAvoy’s history – including a one-game suspension in the 2019 postseason for the same type of play on Columbus Blue Jackets forward Josh Anderson – resulted in more games.

McAvoy believed that since Ekman-Larsson did not end up being injured, the count should have been reduced to three games. He also cited the hit as a mistake in his appeal, a result of the fast-paced, “split-second” play, but the NHL ultimately upheld the four-game decision.

McAvoy said he believed it was important to check on Ekman-Larrson after the game, getting his phone number from his Panthers teammates.

“Last thing I ever want to do in this game is hurt anybody,” McAvoy said. “I really hope that’s unanimous across the board for everybody, and that certainly wasn’t my intention. To find out he was ok and didn’t have any injuries, [I] took a sigh of relief on that one.”

McAvoy will be eligible to return on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens.