Bruins’ Charlie McAvoy Takes Huge Step Toward Returning To Lineup

The Boston Bruins got a boost in practice when injured defenseman Charlie McAvoy joined his teammates on the ice.

McAvoy skated with a non-contact red jersey for the first time since being injured while playing for Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Bruins interim head coach Joe Sacco still didn’t provide a timeline for McAvoy’s return but confirmed McAvoy will not play in the remaining two games of the road trip.

“There’s still no timeline on his return. He won’t play on this trip, but it’s good to have him here. It’s good to see him on the ice with his teammates,” Sacci told reporters. “It’s a good boost for the morale to have him around. He’s an experienced player. Like I said, there’s still no timeline on his return, but it’s nice to see him and have him around here skating with the guys again.

“He’s progressing the way he should be right now. He’s not pushing himself any more than he has to, and when he’s available, he will be in the lineup when he’s ready.”

McAvoy joined the team Sunday night and participated in practice on Tuesday in Anaheim before the Bruins face the Ducks on Wednesday night.

“Good, good. Yeah, feeling good,” McAvoy told reporters. “Glad just to be out here with the guys and just get back into the swing of things a little bit.”

In McAvoy’s absence, the Bruins have relied on their depth at the blue line, including Nikita Zadorov — who was thrilled to have the alternate captain back on the ice.

“It’s fun. He was buzzing through practice,” Zadorov told reporters. “He brought some energy for us. He’s a huge part of this team. He’s our leader and everything, and it’s great to have him back on the ice with the team.”

McAvoy sustained an injury to his right shoulder acromioclavicular joint in Team USA’s 4 Nations Face-Off game against Finland on Feb. 13. Upon returning to Boston, he was diagnosed with an infection in his right shoulder and a significant injury to his AC joint.

“It’s been a lot, it’s tough,” McAvoy said of his injury and recovery. “We’re out the other side now.

“I’m just happy to be here. I’m happy to be with the guys. To see guys, to be seen. I wish a lot of things would have been different coming down the stretch here. I really do. It hasn’t been the easiest, but this sort of feels like a bit of an opening of putting a close to that, and I get back out her,e and I’m with the guys now and that’s nice. Sort of put the past in the past, and we’ll pick up right here.”