NHL players will not be going to the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, and while that development is disappointing for all of the players hoping to represent their country in February, it's particularly difficult for younger guys excited to get their first taste of Olympic competition.
One of those players is Charlie McAvoy, a 24-year-old defenseman for the Boston Bruins who was projected to play a key role on the United States' blue line.
McAvoy will have to wait at least four more years to make his Olympic debut.
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Examining the state of the Bruins during their unexpected hiatus
“Disappointment for sure, definitely a little bit of sadness. If given the opportunity, I was absolutely going to go,” McAvoy said on a Zoom call Thursday when asked about the 2022 Winter Games.
“I really think I was going to enjoy every second of it. I’ve dreamed of that for a long time. Disappointing, that's really the only way to describe it."
McAvoy added: "It stinks. But hopefully by 2026 we’ll have another opportunity, hopefully COVID is no longer in the picture by then, and we’ll get a chance to go.”
The United States could still be a gold medal contender in 2022, but the squad was looking really promising with NHL players such as Auston Matthews, Cale Makar and McAvoy leading a new era of American hockey.
Team USA hasn't won the gold medal in men's Olympic ice hockey since the Miracle on Ice team in 1980. The U.S. won the silver medal in 2002 and 2010, while failing to medal in 2006, 2014 and 2018.