MILAN – Charlie McAvoy found himself in a moment of sheer pride and excitement as he prepared to step onto the grand stage of the San Siro Stadium for the Opening Ceremony of the 2026 Olympic Winter Games. Alongside teammates Jeremy Swayman, Jake Oettinger, and Zach Werenski, McAvoy experienced the thrilling atmosphere as the crowd began to roar in anticipation.
As the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team, dressed in Ralph Lauren attire, stood ready to enter the stadium with the U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, they were taken by surprise as someone started to sing the national anthem. Almost instantly, McAvoy and fellow athletes joined in, filling the stadium with the powerful notes of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” “We’re all singing the national anthem as we’re about to go out and it just gave me chills,” McAvoy reflected the following morning during a visit to the Starbucks Winter House. “Like I’m getting chills now.”
McAvoy’s excitement was palpable, especially after realizing he would have the honor of representing his country at the Olympics. He made arrangements to arrive early in Milan, knowing that Boston Bruins teammate David Pastrnak was also preparing for the event, potentially as the flag bearer for Czechia. This decision allowed McAvoy, Oettinger, Swayman, and Werenski to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
A video from his family capturing his joyful reaction graced his phone, showing the amazement on his face as he took in the dazzling sights of the stadium. “I was pretty starstruck looking up and seeing all the lights and everything. I’ll never forget that moment. You can’t replace it. It was just once in a lifetime, really is how I feel,” he shared.
For McAvoy, this experience not only represented a dream realized but also a nostalgic journey back to his childhood when he would watch the Olympics with his family as a budding youth hockey player. “You see that moment where the athletes walk in and everybody’s waving,” he reminisced. “I mean the pride I felt just watching TV, and now I get to be a part of it.” It was a poignant reminder that pursuing one’s dreams can lead to unforgettable moments that shape a lifetime.