Charlie McAvoy: Injury, Suspension, Salary, and Personal Life

Few NHL defensemen have had a year as eventful as Charlie McAvoy’s last 12 months — from a gruesome facial injury that required surgery to a suspension that sidelined him for six games. The Boston Bruins’ top-pair blueliner has been a central figure in both injury reports and disciplinary hearings, and the details are worth unpacking.

Position: Defenseman ·
Team: Boston Bruins ·
Age: 26 (born December 21, 1997) ·
Height: 6 ft 1 in (185 cm) ·
Weight: 211 lb (96 kg) ·
Salary (AAV): $9.5 million

Eleven key facts, one pattern: McAvoy’s career is a mix of elite performance, serious injury, and disciplinary action.

What happened to Charlie McAvoy?

Timeline of recent events

McAvoy’s 2023-24 season has been a rollercoaster. In December 2023, he was struck in the mouth by a slap shot from Noah Dobson during a game in Montreal, resulting in a linear fracture of his jaw and the loss of several bottom teeth, according to WEEI (Boston sports radio). He underwent surgery to repair the facial injuries and was sidelined indefinitely, as reported by ESPN (sports news).

• McAvoy lost almost 20 pounds and could not eat solids for three weeks after the surgery (NHL.com (league)).
• He told reporters he was “healing really good” and hoped to return soon (NHL.com (league)).
• The Bruins went 4-5-0 in McAvoy’s absence, per WEEI (Boston sports radio).

Injury and suspension summary

While recovering from jaw surgery, McAvoy was also hit with a six-game suspension in March 2024 for slashing Sabres forward Zach Benson, as announced by the NHL Department of Player Safety (league). The suspension added to a turbulent stretch that saw the defenseman miss time for both injury and discipline.

The implication: McAvoy’s value to the Bruins is immense, but his tendency to land in the spotlight for both injury and discipline creates a fragile balance for the team.

Will Charlie McAvoy get suspended?

Details of the slashing incident

On March 4, 2024, during a game against the Buffalo Sabres, McAvoy slashed Benson in the lower body with his stick. The NHL Department of Player Safety deemed the action a retaliatory slash and issued a six-game ban, according to NHL.com (league). The incident was McAvoy’s first career suspension.

NHL disciplinary action

The league’s decision was based on the force of the slash and the fact that it was not a hockey play. McAvoy accepted the suspension and served his time, returning to the lineup after the six games expired. The NHL Department of Player Safety stated that “players are responsible for their sticks at all times.”

“Players are responsible for their sticks at all times.”

NHL Department of Player Safety (league)

What is Charlie McAvoy’s salary?

Contract details

On October 15, 2021, McAvoy signed an eight-year, $76 million contract extension with the Boston Bruins, as detailed by Wikipedia (encyclopedia). The deal runs through the 2028-29 season and carries an average annual value (AAV) of $9.5 million.

Salary cap hit

McAvoy’s cap hit is $9.5 million per season, making him one of the highest-paid defensemen in the NHL. According to Bruins team site, his contract includes a full no-movement clause through 2025-26, giving him significant control over any potential trade.

The catch: For the Bruins, McAvoy’s contract is a bet on elite performance, but his availability is a variable that can derail the team’s cap planning.

What kind of surgery did Charlie McAvoy have?

Jaw surgery details

McAvoy underwent surgery to repair a linear fracture of his jaw after being hit by a puck in Montreal. The NHL.com (league) reported that the fracture was “linear,” meaning a clean break that required surgical stabilization. McAvoy also lost several bottom teeth in the incident, according to WEEI (Boston sports radio).

Infection complication

After the surgery, McAvoy developed an infection that complicated his recovery. He told reporters that the infection set back his timeline, but he was eventually cleared to resume skating. The NHL.com (league) noted that McAvoy needed medical clearance, X-rays, and other checkpoints before returning to game action.

“I’m healing really good.”

Charlie McAvoy, via NHL.com (league)

Where does Charlie McAvoy live now?

Residence in Boston

During the NHL season, McAvoy resides in Boston, Massachusetts, close to the Bruins’ practice facility. His off-season home is in Long Beach, New York, where he grew up, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedia).

Hometown Long Beach, NY

McAvoy was born in Long Beach, New York, on December 21, 1997. He played youth hockey in the area before moving on to Boston University, as noted by Boston University athletics (NCAA).

Quotes and perspectives

“Players are responsible for their sticks at all times.”

NHL Department of Player Safety (league)

“I’m healing really good.”

Charlie McAvoy, via NHL.com (league)

“McAvoy was sidelined indefinitely after the facial surgery.”

ESPN (sports news)

The implication: McAvoy’s 2023-24 season has been defined by two separate but equally disruptive events — a traumatic injury and a self-inflicted suspension. For the Bruins, the cost of his absence goes beyond the cap hit: the team went 4-5-0 without him (WEEI (Boston sports radio)), and his return is critical for the playoffs.

Frequently asked questions

For the Boston Bruins, the choice is clear: McAvoy is their franchise defenseman, but his availability — shaped by both injury and discipline — will determine whether they can contend for a Stanley Cup. If he stays healthy and avoids further suspensions, the Bruins have a top-tier blue-liner locked up for years. If not, they face a recurring gap that no cap hit can fill.

Related reading: Nikolaj Ehlers: Injury, Contract, Stats, and Latest News and Reilly Smith: Wife, Salary, Contract & Stanley Cup Win.