McAvoy was injured during the Bruins’ win over the Canadiens when he was hit in the face by a slap shot. Eric Bolte / USA Today via Imagn Images
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Charlie McAvoy has undergone facial surgery, according to Boston Bruins coach Marco Sturm. There is no timeline as to when McAvoy will return but the defenseman will not be available during the Bruins’ current four-game road trip.
Sturm did not get into specifics about the procedure or when it took place. McAvoy was injured on Nov. 15 during the Bruins’ 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens when he was hit by a Noah Dobson slap shot. McAvoy traveled to Boston with his teammates after the game.
McAvoy has no goals and 14 assists in 19 games. He is leading the Bruins with 23:46 of average ice time per game.
Sturm shuffled his defense for Wednesday’s game against the Anaheim Ducks. Jonathan Aspirot will play in McAvoy’s spot next to Nikita Zadorov. Hampus Lindholm will play with Henri Jokiharju. Mason Lohrei and Andrew Peeke will play together.
“We just want to try something different,” Sturm said. “Other guys have to step up. That’s the bottom line. It can’t be Zadorov and Lindholm all the time. We need more guys to step up. Hopefully, switching the pairs and players, maybe it’s going to help us.”
Nov 20, 2025
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