Charlie McAvoy says tardiness issue with Bruins is “a learning opportunity”

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BRIGHTON, Mass – Charlie McAvoy called it “a learning opportunity” in retrospect when asked after practice Wednesday about his discussion with Bruins veteran players about reports of lateness incidents with the team this season. 

The Boston Globe reported there were a couple of instances this season where McAvoy had been tardy to a team bus, and a special teams meeting, and that Brad Marchand, among others, had pulled him aside to discuss nipping it in the bud.

It was something Marchand joked about during his interview on “The Pick Up” with NBCSportsBoston.com last month, which was clearly done in a light-hearted manner rather than in tongue-lashing style.

“The kid always seems to find himself in trouble being late for everything,” said a joking Marchand on “The Pick Up” when asked who should get coal in their stocking for Christmas. “I’d get him a clock, or a watch. He is late for everything. I’ve never seen anybody more late for planes, buses or meetings than that kid.”

McAvoy, 21, confirmed there was a discussion between the younger players and the veteran players about punctuality and what it means within the NHL profession, and that he was being receptive to all of it while it’s been a Bruins talking point the past few days.

“It was a learning experience nonetheless...I don’t think it was really a...you know. There was definitely a learning opportunity and I’m trying to be very receptive of that,” said McAvoy, who practiced fully on Wednesday after being out since Christmas with a foot that got infected after blocking a shot in the Dec. 17 road win over Montreal. “I think I am. It wasn’t really a big thing that was going on. I think people figured that out when people were even surprised to hear of such a thing. But we had a conversation amongst the young guys and the veterans, and like I’ve said before we’re very fortunate to have them.

“I get to walk in a locker room with guys like [Zdeno Chara], Patrice Bergeron and [Brad Marchand], just really consummate pros. Guys who I have idolized and want to be just like. So, if I can learn their habits and learn things like that at a young age, I’ll be so much better off for it.”

The defenseman certainly can’t be in love with the attention that his punctuality has received the past few days when he’s simply trying to heal from an infected foot, and get back on the ice potentially this weekend against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Still, there are learning curves for all young players when they get to the NHL and this certainly qualifies as one of those lessons for McAvoy as he continues his development into a No. 1 defenseman.  

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