The Boston Bruins will be without the services of their top defenceman in Charlie McAvoy for the foreseeable future after he had facial surgery, head coach Marco Sturm told the media on Wednesday.
There is no timetable for his return.
The 27-year-old blueliner left Saturday’s win over the Montreal Canadiens midway through the second period after taking a slap shot to the face from Habs defenceman Noah Dobson.
Dobson’s shot deflected off Bruins forward Mark Kastelic before hitting McAvoy near the mouth.
McAvoy has 14 assists over 19 games with the Bruins in 2025-26, his ninth season with the franchise since being selected 14th overall in 2016.
The native of Long Beach, N.Y. has tallied 60 goals and 254 assists over 523 career games with the Bruins, adding six goals and 42 assists across 91 playoff games.
McAvoy is in the fourth season of an eight-year, $76 million contract, featuring an average annual value of $9.5 million.
Considered one of the better American defenceman in the NHL, McAvoy is a strong candidate to make Team USA for the upcoming Winter Olympics in February.
McAvoy played for his country during last February’s inaugural 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, but missed the final against Canada – and the rest of the NHL season for the Bruins – after suffering a joint separation in his shoulder which led to an infection during round robin play.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years last season, the Bruins currently sit second in the Atlantic Division with a 12-9-0 record.
Boston opens a three game west coast road trip Wednesday night against the Anaheim Ducks.