Boston Bruins and Team USA defenceman Charlie McAvoy left Wednesday’s game against the Florida Panthers after taking a high hit from Sandis Vilmanis in the opening period.
McAvoy has not returned and the Bruins have yet to update his status.
With just under 10 minutes remaining in the first, McAvoy carried the puck out of the Bruins’ defensive zone and was drilled up high by Vilmanis as he passed the puck. Vilmanis’ elbow appeared to make contact with McAvoy’s head and sent the Bruins’ defenceman crashing hard to the ice. He needed help to get to the Boston bench and into the dressing room.
Vilmanis was assessed a two-minute minor penalty for an illegal check to the head.
The injury comes just days before the start of Milano Cortina 2026. McAvoy is one of two Bruins on Team USA’s roster, in addition to goaltender Jeremy Swayman.
The 28-year-old McAvoy has four goals and 34 assists for 38 points in 45 games so far this season while averaging 24:13 of ice time per game.
This is the Long Beach, N.Y. native’s ninth season with the Bruins since making his debut during the 2017-18 campaign.
