At a Glance
- Charlie McAvoy grew up in a plumbing family but was steered toward hockey by his father.
- He rose from a Long Island youth to a Boston Bruins defenseman and 2026 Olympic hopeful.
- His story shows how family support can redirect a career path.
- Why it matters: It highlights the impact of parental guidance on athletic success.
Charlie McAvoy’s journey from a small town on Long Island to the world’s biggest ice arenas is a testament to the power of family and opportunity. His father, Charles, a seasoned plumber, chose to give his son a chance at a professional hockey career rather than the family business. Today, McAvoy is poised to represent the United States at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics.
Family Foundations
Charles McAvoy Sr. ran a four-generation plumbing and heating company on Long Island for 30 years. As the youngest of seven siblings, he could not afford the high costs of travel hockey, which limited his own playing to high school.
> “The opportunity was probably there, but the finances weren’t always there,” Charles said on an episode of My New Favorite Olympian.
His experience shaped his decision to open doors for his son. “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,” Charles told the show.
Early Skating Days
Charlie began skating at age three. While helping his dad on the job, he learned the discipline that would later translate to the ice. He often worked under the summer sun as a plumber’s helper, even digging for pipes with a shovel.
> “He threw me the shovel and basically was like, ‘Hey, dig until you hear a pipe,'” Charlie recalled.
Despite the physical demands of plumbing, Charlie’s love for skating grew. The family’s access to a local rink-thanks to a key that Charles received when he upgraded the building’s gas lines-allowed him to practice almost nightly.
> “They gave me the keys,” Charles said. “They said, anytime I want to use it, go.”
From Long Island to the NHL
After growing up in Long Beach, an oceanfront city on Long Island’s south coast, Charlie joined USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program for two seasons in Michigan. He then played for Boston University, earning a first-team All-American honor in his sophomore year.
In the 2016 NHL Draft, the Boston Bruins selected him with the 14th overall pick. He made the NHL All-Rookie Team after recording seven goals and 25 assists.
> “I don’t think we had the crystal ball and would have known,” Charlie said. “But [Charles] did it because he saw that it made me happy and it was something I wanted to do.”
Olympic Dreams
McAvoy’s current goal is to compete for the U.S. men’s hockey team at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics. The Bruins’ defenseman has expressed gratitude for his father’s sacrifice and the chance to represent his country.
> “There’s nothing I can do to repay him for that sacrifice he made,” Charlie said.
He also acknowledges that his father deliberately did not teach him plumbing skills to keep his focus on hockey.
> “I don’t have a clue how to plumb … I think he purposely didn’t teach me a thing on plumbing,” Charlie joked.
Legacy and Lessons
Charlie McAvoy’s story underscores how parental decisions can redirect a life’s trajectory. While he honors his family’s trade, he also carries forward the values of hard work and dedication that his father instilled.
> “Every day I saw him work, he’s putting everything he has into that,” Charlie said. “So, I knew I owed it to him to put everything I had into hockey, the same way.”
The narrative also illustrates the interplay between local community resources-like a family’s access to a rink-and the development of elite athletes.
Key Takeaways
- Family support can pivot a young athlete from a trade to a professional sports career.
- Early access to practice facilities, even through unconventional means, can accelerate skill development.
- Personal sacrifice-in this case, a father’s financial and emotional investment-often underpins athletic success.
- Future prospects: McAvoy’s Olympic bid adds a new chapter to a legacy that began with a plumbing business.
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Timeline of Milestones
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1990s | Charles McAvoy Sr. runs plumbing business on Long Island |
| 2000 | Charlie begins skating at age 3 |
| 2006-08 | Plays for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program |
| 2008-12 | Attends Boston University; first-team All-American |
| 2016 | Drafted 14th overall by Boston Bruins; NHL All-Rookie Team |
| 2026 | Selected for U.S. men’s hockey team for Milan Cortina Winter Olympics |
