At a Glance
- Charlie McAvoy steered away from the family plumbing business to pursue professional hockey.
- His father, Charles McAvoy Sr., enabled early access to the rink and financial support.
- McAvoy is set to represent the U.S. at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
- Why it matters: It shows how family legacy can shape athletic dreams and national representation.
Charlie McAvoy’s journey from the plumbing trade to the NHL and the Olympic stage illustrates a powerful family narrative of support, sacrifice, and ambition. His father, Charles McAvoy Sr., deliberately steered him toward a career in hockey, providing both opportunity and encouragement. Today, McAvoy is a defenseman for the Boston Bruins and a key member of the U.S. men’s hockey team.
From Pipes to Pucks
Charlie McAvoy grew up in Long Beach, Long Island, where the family ran a four-generation plumbing business. Charles Sr. spent 30 years operating the firm, but the costs of competitive travel hockey were prohibitive for the youngest of seven children. “The opportunity was probably there, but the finances weren’t always there,” Charles said on an episode of NBC Local’s My New Favorite Olympian. He added that travel hockey was not cheap and that ice slots were limited at the time.
Instead of pursuing a professional hockey career, Charles Sr. chose to keep the family business afloat. He later explained that he wanted his children-especially his son-to have the chance he never had: “I didn’t get that opportunity, and I wanted to make sure that Charlie and his sisters had that opportunity to play and give it their best.” This decision set the stage for a unique partnership between father and son.
Early Years and Family Support
From the age of three, McAvoy began skating. Though he did not follow in his ancestors’ footsteps on skates, he spent many summer days working as a plumber’s helper. “I’d be all excited to go do it,” he recalled. “And very early in the day, I found out that we were doing some undesired work.” He described digging with a shovel, “He threw me the shovel and basically was like, ‘Hey, dig until you hear a pipe,'” adding that the work taught him discipline.
The family’s relationship with the local rink was pivotal. Charles Sr. converted a building from oil to gas, installing new equipment and gas lines. “They gave me the keys,” he said. “They said, anytime I want to use it, go. And Charlie was young and we took full advantage of that. We were probably there every night of the week when he was a little guy.” This access allowed McAvoy to practice regularly, accelerating his skating development.
Hockey Career Highlights
McAvoy’s talent earned him a spot on USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program in Michigan for two seasons. He then played for Boston University, where he was named a first-team All-American in his sophomore year. The Boston Bruins selected him with the 14th overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft. In his rookie season, he earned a place on the NHL All-Rookie Team after recording seven goals and 25 assists.
A concise timeline of his hockey milestones:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Drafted 14th overall by Boston Bruins |
| 2016-17 | NHL All-Rookie Team |
| 2026 | Selected for U.S. men’s team at Milan Cortina Winter Olympics |
McAvoy has spoken openly about his father’s influence. “I don’t think we had the crystal ball and would have known,” he said. “But [Charles] did it because he saw that it made me happy and it was something I wanted to do. There’s nothing I can do to repay him for that sacrifice he made.”
Legacy and Lessons
Despite growing up in a trade environment, McAvoy deliberately avoided learning plumbing. He said, “I don’t have a clue how to plumb … I don’t even know if that’s the tense in which you’d say it. I think he purposely didn’t teach me a thing on plumbing. I called him the other day because my faucet was a little off center, and he’s trying to walk me through it. And halfway I just said, ‘Bring your tools when you come up, I’ll have you fix it.’ He goes, ‘I’m going to charge you, though.’ I said, ‘Go ahead.'”
His story is featured on My New Favorite Olympian and highlighted by NBC Sports’ Nick Zaccardi, who discussed McAvoy’s outlook for the upcoming Olympics.
McAvoy’s journey demonstrates how a family’s values and resources can shape a child’s path, turning a potential career in plumbing into a professional sports legacy that will inspire future generations.
Key Takeaways
- Charles McAvoy Sr. deliberately redirected his son’s future away from plumbing and toward hockey.
- Early access to a local rink and financial support were crucial to McAvoy’s development.
- McAvoy’s achievements span collegiate All-American honors, an NHL draft selection, and an Olympic berth.
- The family’s story underscores the importance of opportunity and sacrifice in reaching elite athletic performance.
