Charlie McAvoy’s Olympic Diary: Celebrating U.S. Women’s Gold and Facing Slovakia
The 2026 Winter Olympics have been a wild ride, especially if you’re into hockey. The Athletic’s giving live coverage of the men’s hockey semifinals: Canada vs. Finland and USA vs. Slovakia.
Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy has been sharing his thoughts throughout the tournament. He’s giving readers a peek behind the curtain at Team USA’s journey.
McAvoy’s 28 now, a veteran with three international gold medals. He’s one of the alternate captains, working with Matthew Tkachuk under Auston Matthews’ leadership.
In his latest diary entry, McAvoy talks about the inspiration he’s gotten from the women’s team and the buzz around the upcoming game against Slovakia.
The Inspirational Victory of the Women’s Team
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McAvoy starts by describing the energy when Team USA’s women’s hockey team beat Canada for gold. The men’s team watched the game together—first at dinner, then back at the Olympic Village.
That win wasn’t just another trophy. It really fired up McAvoy and the rest of the guys.
Connections and Pride
He mentions he knows several players on the women’s team: Ava McNaughton, Haley Winn, Kirsten Simms, Caroline Harvey, and Laila Edwards. Their assistant coach, Brent Hill, has ties to McAvoy’s sister, Heather.
You can feel how proud he is of their success. He singles out Caroline Harvey and Laila Edwards as names to watch in women’s hockey.
Preparing for the Semifinals Against Slovakia
Now, with the semifinals against Slovakia coming up, McAvoy looks back on their path so far. The quarterfinals with Sweden? Tough. That game showed just how fierce the competition is this year.
He figures that tough battle with Sweden has made them sharper for what’s next.
Game Day Routine
McAvoy shares a bit about how the team spends game day. There’s a morning skate, and then a pregame meal at the USA Winter House.
The hours before puck drop are filled with little things to stay focused but not too tense—checking in with family, maybe a long nap. He really values these routines to keep his head in the game.
Personal Touches and Comforts
Even with all the pressure, McAvoy finds comfort in small things from home. He brought his own pillow and a blanket his wife packed for him.
Honestly, those little comforts matter. They help him rest and keep his spirits up through the madness of the Olympics.
Looking Ahead
The semifinals are right around the corner. McAvoy and Team USA look focused and determined.
The women’s team’s victory gave them a real boost. All the preparation and long hours on the ice have built up to this—an intense matchup with Slovakia that honestly could go either way.
McAvoy’s diary entries let fans peek behind the curtain. You get a sense of the players as people, not just names on a roster.
For more updates and some extra behind-the-scenes details, check out Charlie McAvoy’s full diary on The Athletic.