Bruins’ Brad Marchand, Charlie McAvoy Selected For Four Nations Tournament
TD Garden, home of the Boston Bruins, will be one of the venues hosting the 2025 NHL 4 Nations Face-Off. This international tournament will see prominent players from Canada, Finland, Sweden, and the United States showcasing their skills.
On Friday, the NHL and NHLPA revealed the first batch of players chosen by the respective national hockey associations. Bruins’ stars Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy were among those selected, representing Canada and the United States respectively. Marchand’s Canadian teammates include Nathan MacKinnon, Connor McDavid, Cale Makar, Sidney Crosby, and Brayden Point. McAvoy will play alongside fellow Americans Matthew Tkachuk, Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, Jack Eichel, and Adam Fox.
Charlie McAvoy has a distinguished history with Team USA. He was instrumental in their gold medal victories at the 2014 World Under-17 Hockey Challenge and the 2015 IIHF Under-18 World Championship. Additionally, he helped secure a gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championships and a bronze at the 2018 IIHF World Championship.
The 2025 4 Nations Face-Off will occur from February 12-20, 2025, with games hosted at both Bell Centre and TD Garden. Each of the four teams will consist of 23 NHL players, with the full rosters to be announced at a later date.
### Bruins and Wild Among Top Contenders for Rutger McGroarty
In other news, Winnipeg Jets’ 2022 first-round pick Rutger McGroarty is reportedly seeking a trade. Many believe a deal could be finalized shortly, allowing Winnipeg to secure a first-round pick in this year’s draft. As the draft’s first round approaches, interest in McGroarty remains high.
The Minnesota Wild are notably interested, according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo. The Boston Bruins have also engaged in ongoing discussions with Winnipeg about McGroarty, as reported by Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press. The Columbus Blue Jackets, New York Islanders, and Buffalo Sabres have also shown interest, though not as strongly.
McGroarty was picked 14th overall in 2022, a selection just one spot after Minnesota’s current pick (No. 13) this year. A one-for-one swap seems logical, but Boston’s situation is a bit more complex. The Bruins regained their first-round pick (No. 25) after it changed hands several times before being returned as part of the deal sending 2023 Vezina Trophy winner Linus Ullmark to Ottawa. To land McGroarty, the Bruins might need to offer an additional pick or an equivalent asset, such as a current roster player or a prospect.
Rutger McGroarty, 20, has been a standout in college hockey. During his sophomore year at the University of Michigan, he ranked in the top ten for NCAA-wide scoring, amassing 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 36 games. His performance earned him a nomination for the Hobey Baker Award, given to the top player in collegiate hockey. Additionally, McGroarty captained the United States to a gold medal at the 2024 World Juniors, contributing five goals and four assists in seven games.
Despite his success, McGroarty was not guaranteed a clear role on Winnipeg’s roster for the upcoming season. Consequently, he has chosen to return to Michigan for his junior year instead of playing for Winnipeg’s AHL affiliate in Manitoba. However, a trade could prompt McGroarty to turn pro and potentially make his NHL debut with a new team in the fall.
