At this stage of his career, 28-year-old Charlie McAvoy holds court as the Bruins’ top option on the blue line.
But the gifted defenseman still remembers his first days in Boston’s dressing room as a 19-year-old rookie in April 2017.
Just a few weeks removed from playing for Boston University, the talented prospect was going to be called upon to make his NHL debut during the Stanley Cup Playoffs against Ottawa.
It didn’t take long for McAvoy to gravitate toward captain Zdeno Chara in Boston’s room.
“When I met him, I called him ‘Mr. Chara’ and he was like, ‘Don’t do that.