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Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy proud to be part of NHL’s ‘Hockey is for Everyone’
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- Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy proud to be part of NHL’s ‘Hockey is for Everyone’
BOSTON — Charlie McAvoy hasn’t seen “Heated Rivalry,” the popular new show about a romance between two male hockey players, who are rivals on the ice, but secretly in love off of it. But the Bruins defenseman was aware of it and encouraged by its success.
“I haven’t seen that show, but from what I’ve heard, it’s been growing the game a lot,” he said after Boston’s 4-3 win over Vegas on Thursday. “I’m in support of that. That stuff is all awesome. It’s awesome for hockey and for everything. Hopefully, a lot of people feel that support.”
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“Heated Rivalry” is so popular that its co-stars will be torchbearers leading into next month’s Winter Olympics and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he binged the whole show in one night.
The topic came up with McAvoy on Thursday because it was “Hockey is for Everyone Night” in Boston. It’s a league-wide NHL “initiative that uses hockey and the National Hockey League’s global influence to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status” according to the league.
McAvoy has been an eager ambassador for his sport. He was one of several players who had rainbow tape on their sticks and gear during the pregame. He and his wife represented the Bruins at the Boston Pride parade this summer.
“I think the league has done great things. I think here in our room, we’ve tried to do things as well to echo that message and make everyone feel safe and comfortable within the game,” he said. “It’s very important. I feel like I see it in here and in the game.”
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The Bruins had rainbow lights outside TD Garden and on the scoreboard. The rainbow-taped sticks will be auctioned to benefit Boston Pride Hockey, New England’s first LGBTQIA+ and ally-friendly hockey organization.
The night also put a spotlight on organizations that make the game accessible to players with disabilities.
During the starting lineup introductions, the Bruins players were joined by players from the following groups according to the Bruins: Sled hockey, deaf, blind, special hockey and standing amputee/limb difference athletes.
Tables were set up around the concourse with representatives from:
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The Boston Deafenders, a team for deaf and hard-of-hearing players
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New England Battalion Hockey Club, a team for veterans, first responders and adaptive hockey players of all skill levels
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Massachusetts Adaptive Hockey, an organization dedicated to expanding access to hockey for individuals with disabilities
McAvoy said he was glad the Bruins got a win and gave fans from those different communities something to cheer for as they came together.
“I’ve heard so much support from people within those communities that it means a lot,” he said. “It’s the least that we can do to show our support and that we’re all on the same team.”
Outtakes from a busy week ...
Buffalo’s overreaction
There’s a simple rule teams should follow when deciding whether or not to fire their coach. Is there somebody they’re confident they can hire who will likely be an upgrade over the person they’re firing?
The Bills might hire somebody that’s better than Sean McDermott was. But that’s a pretty high bar, considering. McDermott wasn’t perfect. But his biggest flaw was facing Tom Brady then Patrick Mahomes.
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Underreaction to Indiana
Indiana’s perfect season should have captivated America more than it did. This is a school that’s historically been awful at football and an overlooked coach came along and turned them into the best team in the country.
Unfortunately, it happened early in the era of the transfer portal and NIL and a lot of people haven’t adjusted to the idea that college sports are different now. In many ways for the better.
Real Jeopardy! Clue
Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date
CATEGORY:MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER $600
Date: Jan. 21, 2026
For scoring a league-leading 23 goals during the 2024 season, Christian Benteke was a shoe-in for this award
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— Answer below
The Top 5
The Top 5 quarterbacks you forgot threw a pass in an NFL game since the last time Jarrett Stidham did
5— Tim Boyle
4— Dorian Thompson-Robinson
3— Taylor Heinecke
2— Tanner McKee
1— Jake Haener
Today in Boston Sports History
Jan. 23
1981 — The Red Sox trade Fred Lynn and Steve Renko to the Angels for Joe Rudi, Frank Tanana and Jim Dorsey.
Lightning round
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Andy Pettitte feels like the sort of guy an Eras committee is going to vote in and people are going to complain about.
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Trading Kristaps Porzingis looks better every day.
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I miss the old Sports Illustrated. Back when the magazine used to have great writing and amazing pictures. I miss it every week, but right now there would have been a Drake Maye cover one week, followed by an Indiana cover, then the Olympics preview. I assume this is making me sound like an old man.
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I would have liked to see “Life of Chuck” get an adapted screenplay or even a supporting actor nomination for Mark Hamill. That said, I love the Delroy Lindo nomination.
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Every time there’s a sports mystery that somebody doesn’t know the answer to, somebody creates a sex-related rumor. They’re almost never true. Linus Ullmark is the latest victim. This round of foolishness turned a potentially valuable discussion point about athletes and mental health into another one about social media being a cesspool.
Real Jeopardy! Question:
What is the Golden Boot?
Finally...
Happy National Handwriting Day to those who celebrate.
More Friday Outtakes
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