The 28-year-old used the summer to feel his best after facing what felt like never-ending adversity during the 2025-26 campaign. McAvoy broke his jaw and subsequently had surgery in November. He then revealed he was playing with a broken hand in the postseason.
“You want to be 100%. You want to help your team. We play all year to get to that point and then to be hurt in the second game of the series, it’s not something you can outrun in the playoffs,” McAvoy said. “I got to a good spot. And then you can really ramp up in the summer. It was pretty good timing with getting healthy and getting to this point now where we’re still ramping and still trying to incorporate some new things that we weren’t able to do at the beginning of the summer. But overall, I feel really good about where my body is at.”
McAvoy had to wait for his hand to fully heal before he could dive into his off-season training. He was in a cast and had to keep his hand immobilized for some time after playing through the injury.
“Kind of frustrating, like even picking up the baby, there are just things you don’t realize stink to not be able to have that,” McAvoy said. “Once you get past that, just enjoy the summer.”
It is another fresh start for McAvoy ahead of the 2026-27 season, and he is looking to make the most out of it with the lessons he has gained.
“Persistence, I think – I know that whatever I face, I know I can make it through. Trying to use that to maybe be a more patient person. More patient with myself,” McAvoy said. “I know how tough I am. I know I don’t have to prove that to anyone because I know it and my teammates know it; my character and what I’m willing to put myself through and what I’ll try to fight through for my team and for the guys. I know that. I know who I am, and those things have pushed me. I’ve been able to show someone I’m proud of.”