NHL Notes: Bruins' Charlie McAvoy ready for rookie season

Charlie McAvoy knew exactly what he needed to do in order to prepare for his rookie season in the NHL.

So, the New York native bought a place in Boston, spent the entire summer working out at his alma mater, Boston University, and skated at the Bruins’ practice facility. The 19-year-old defenseman now feels acclimated and ready for training camp.

The highly-touted blueliner was thrust into action last spring. After he completed his second season with the Terriers, he signed an ATO (amateur tryout agreement) with the Providence Bruins before signing a three-year, entry-level contract with the Bruins on April 10.

His services were needed because of injuries to other Bruins defensemen, and he made his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

McAvoy proved his worth and was not intimidated. It was that experience that helped jump start his mental preparation.

“That experience was so valuable,” McAvoy told BostonSportsJournal.com on Friday. “To get in there and play those games and become orientated with all the people who were going to help me in my time here, as far as the coaching staff and all the people behind the scenes — the trainers and equipment guys — to get familiar with everyone goes a long way for me and gives me a comfort level when I come into camp.”

When he arrived at BU as a 17-year-old, he was the youngest player in college hockey. Despite his age, he quickly became a leader in the locker room with his magnetic personality.

“You could see it over the last two years how he’s grown up,” said BU coach David Quinn. “He takes care of himself away from the rink and how he trains. From the age of 17 to 19, some guys take longer than others to mature, but Charlie became a much more well-rounded guy.

“Over the last three summers he’s trained hard and every player goes through it. Every guy works hard, but as you climb the hockey ladder, you have to redefine what hard work is. Hard work is subjective and for Charlie, the guys who are defining what hard work is are the guys in the National Hockey League. That’s the threshold and he’s done a really good job of pushing that line and understanding what hard work is.”

Since McAvoy spent so much time at BU during the offseason, he would routinely talk hockey with Quinn. Their relationship has changed but the coach will always be a sounding board for the young pro.

“It’s always good to catch up with him,” McAvoy said. “I think the world of that guy. He played such a pivotal role in the success that I had in college. He helped me with a foundation of the player I want to be. It’s cool to get beyond the player-coach relationship. He’s an unbelievable coach when you’re playing for him, but now there’s that other aspect and it’s great to be on a personal level. He’s an amazing guy and I’m happy to have played for him and to know him.”

McAvoy will begin training camp as a member of the Bruins’ prospect team that will participate in the rookie tournament in Buffalo from Sept. 7-11.

Other NHL notes/thoughts:

Longtime Coyotes captain Shane Doan announced his retirement last week. Considered to be one of the most well-respected players in the NHL, the 40-year-old spent his entire career with one organization, starting with the Winnipeg Jets before the franchise moved to Arizona. He described the decision to retire the toughest of his career and he received support from the entire hockey community.

“It’s amazing what he’s accomplished,” said Patrice Bergeron. “The fact that he was part of one organization tells you a lot. He seemed to be a real down-to-earth guy, who was a great leader as well to the young players. He had an amazing career.

“He was tough to play against. He could hit you. He could defend you and he could score on you, so he’s one of those guys I really had a lot of respect for.”

At the end of last season, Coyotes management informed Doan he would not receive a new contract from the team. It was a PR nightmare and Coyotes fans were livid with the way their captain was treated.

As pro hockey players prepare for training camps, there’s been a rule change at the youth hockey level that could someday impact the NHL. USA Hockey modified the icing rule and now players 14-and-under will no longer be allowed to ice the puck when shorthanded. The idea is to encourage skill development and emphasize puck possession.

I’ve always wondered why a team was given an advantage when it was penalized. Not everyone in the hockey world agrees with the rule change, but two-time Stanley Cup-winning coach Mike Sullivan agrees with the modification.

“Skill development and play-making is an emphasis at the professional level and it should be an absolute priority at the youth levels,” Sullivan told USA Hockey. “I support USA Hockey’s decision to change the rule. It will encourage kids to make more skill plays with the puck and will help develop their full potential as players.”

With the new rule, when a shorthanded team ices the puck, the whistle will blow and the faceoff returns to the defensive zone. The team on the power play will be allowed to make line changes. It’s the right decision and it could impact the NHL sooner rather than later.