Injured Charlie McAvoy announces US lineup before emotional 4 Nations loss

Despite being unable to play in the 4 Nations finale, Charlie McAvoy found a way to fire up his Team USA teammates.

Ahead of their crushing 3-2 overtime loss to Team Canada on Thursday, defenseman McAvoy announced his team’s starting lineup from the locker room.

U.S. head coach Mike Sullivan shared to his team that he had a “special guest” to read off the starters for the game.

The Long Island native was met with a roaring cheer from his teammates when he walked into the locker room with a sling on his right arm.

McAvoy, named an alternate captain for the Americans, suffered a shoulder injury during USA’s opening match against Finland on Feb. 13.

His injury later resulted in an infection, leaving McAvoy hospitalized and forced to undergo a procedure on his shoulder.

The eight-year NHL veteran went to Massachusetts General Hospital on Monday amid USA’s 2-1 loss to Sweden.

The Bruins later said that McAvoy’s injury was to his acromioclavicular joint in his right shoulder.

According to a statement by Bruins’ head team defenseman Dr. Peter Asnis on Tuesday, McAvoy’s condition was improving following his procedure.

Shortly before the 4 Nations tournament started, McAvoy missed seven games due to an upper-body injury, only returning to play on Jan. 30, per the Bruins website.

Canuks defenseman Quinn Hughes was named an alternate amid McAvoy’s injury, but USA would have had to lose another defenseman to make Hughes eligible.

McAvoy’s replacement for Thursday’s finale was able to make an impact for the Americans.

Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson was slotted into McAvoy’s spot on the team’s second line, giving USA their first lead of the game with a goal midway through the second period.

But McAvoy’s emotional plea wasn’t enough as Team USA ultimately fell to Canada, thanks to Connor McDavid’s overtime goal.

The 22-year-old is currently in his third NHL season, being named to the league’s all-rookie team after the 2022-23 season.