“In a rare and special moment of intersection, Charlie McAvoy, the Boston Bruins’ stalwart defenseman, is sharing the international ice with his father-in-law, Mike Sullivan, the esteemed head coach of the United States’ 4 Nations men’s ice hockey team. As they take to the rink together, they’re savoring a unique opportunity to bond over their shared love of the game, while also representing their country in a tournament that brings together some of the world’s top hockey powers. With the 4 Nations Cup serving as a premier showcase for international hockey, McAvoy and Sullivan are relishing the chance to make memories that will last a lifetime, both on and off the ice. In this article, we’ll delve into the special dynamic between this father-son-in-law duo, and explore what makes their shared experience on the US 4 Nations team so extraordinary.”
A Family Affair on the Ice
MONTREAL — U.S. coach Mike Sullivan and defenseman Charlie McAvoy have a connection that goes way deeper than hockey. McAvoy is married to Sullivan’s daughter Kiley, who recently gave birth to the couple’s first child. Sullivan and McAvoy are together on the same team for the first time at the 4 Nations Face-Off, and they could do the same for the U.S. at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. Sullivan and McAvoy believe they will appreciate this experience way more once the tournament is over and there is time to reflect on how special it is.
“I have a son now, for his dad to play for his grandpa, those are things that I would have never dreamed of,” McAvoy said. “This is just where hockey’s taken us, where our jobs have taken us, so it’s extremely special.”
Sullivan, the coach of the U.S. team, called it an incredible privilege and thinks he and McAvoy will gain a greater appreciation of this looking back on it.
“Someday we might look back on this and smile,” Sullivan said. “Charlie means the world to us, to our family. First and foremost, he’s a terrific hockey player. He’s a fierce competitor. But more importantly than that is he’s a great kid and a good person and he means the world to our family.”
A New Addition to the Family
Rhys Michael McAvoy was born in late January. Sullivan joked he had “zero input” on the name Kiley and Charlie chose. But adding to their family just before being together for an international tournament only added to their joy.
“What it’s like when him and my daughter just had their first baby, for my wife and I, it’s an incredible thrill,” Sullivan said. “It’s certainly a privilege to be a grandparent, and we’re enjoying that process also. And it’s new. He’s only 2 weeks old, I believe. It’s exciting times for our family. This event just adds to the excitement. I can’t tell you what it means to me to have the opportunity to share in this event with him.”
Professionalism on and off the Ice
McAvoy said he does get teased a bit by his U.S. teammates, but he added that he and Sullivan are professionals and there’s no concerns about the dynamics of playing for his father-in-law.
“Everybody gets it at this point,” McAvoy said. “My friends all know, and everybody really knows. It’s certainly funnier now and easier to make a couple jokes about it, but at the end of the day, we’ve both worked to be here and it’s an incredible honor to be here together.”
Canada Faces Roster Change
Theodore’s Injury
Canada lost Shea Theodore to a right wrist/forearm injury in the middle of its 4 Nations-opening overtime victory against Sweden, and coach Jon Cooper said the defenseman is out for the rest of the tournament.
“I just think about Theo as a person — I know how much this tournament meant to him and representing his country and being on that team,” said U.S. center Jack Eichel, a teammate of Theodore’s in the NHL with the Vegas Golden Knights. “Obviously it’s a huge loss for our team in Vegas and what he brings to our team on a night-in and night-out basis. He’s been so good this year. It’s never fun seeing anyone get hurt, and obviously I care about Theo as a person so I feel for him.”
Sanheim Steps Up
The next man up is Philadelphia’s Travis Sanheim. He’s also the only other defenseman on the roster because each team was only allowed to bring seven.
“I just said that I’d be ready if they needed me,” Sanheim told reporters in Brossard, Quebec, after Canada’s optional practice. “You’d hate to see it happen this way, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Sweden Takes a Break
While Canada’s Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon took the bus out to the Canadiens’ practice facility in Brossard to get on the ice, Sweden’s coaching staff opted not to have players skate. The snowstorm dumping several inches on Montreal factored in to that decision as the Swedes prepare to face rival Finland on Saturday afternoon.
“I felt the boys need the rest,” coach Sam Hallam said. “And just with the weather being what it is, it would be double-time out, double-time back. I think for Saturday we’re going to be better by just having a day off today.”
Hallam did not commit to starting Filip Gustavsson again after the Minnesota Wild goaltender was excellent in making 24 saves against Canada.
Conclusion
As the article concludes, Charlie McAvoy and his father-in-law Mike Sullivan are indeed fortunate to be sharing the same team, the US 4 Nations squad. Throughout the article, we’ve seen how their unique father-in-law and son-in-law relationship has brought them closer together, both on and off the ice. From their shared passion for hockey to their mutual respect and admiration for one another, it’s clear that this bond has been a significant factor in their success.
The significance of this story lies not only in the personal dynamic between McAvoy and Sullivan but also in the larger context of the US 4 Nations team. As a team, they are vying for top honors, and having family members on the same squad can only add to their motivation and drive. Moreover, this story serves as a reminder of the importance of family and relationships in the world of professional sports, where dedication, hard work, and teamwork are essential for success.
As we look to the future, it will be exciting to see how this dynamic duo continues to perform on the ice. Will their bond grow even stronger as they work together to achieve their goals? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: their story is a testament to the power of family and the importance of cherishing the moments we share with those closest to us. As we conclude, let us remember that sometimes, the greatest victories are not won on the ice, but in the hearts of those who matter most.