The National Hockey League has scheduled an in-person disciplinary hearing for Boston Bruins defender Charlie McAvoy on May 11 at league offices in New York, stemming from a stick-swinging incident involving Buffalo Sabres player Zach Benson.
League officials announced the hearing date on Monday. The decision to conduct the meeting face-to-face signals that the NHL’s Department of Player Safety may impose a suspension exceeding five games.
Since Boston’s playoff run concluded Friday following a sixth-game defeat to Buffalo in the opening round, any disciplinary action against McAvoy would carry over to the start of the upcoming season.
The controversial play unfolded with 1 minute and 31 seconds remaining in the final period when Benson caused McAvoy to fall while both players pursued a loose puck. McAvoy then rose and rushed toward Benson, swinging his hockey stick in a baseball bat-like motion at his opponent.
This season marked a career-best performance for McAvoy, who recorded 61 points including 11 goals across 69 regular season contests. During the Buffalo series, he contributed two assists.
Throughout his nine-year tenure with Boston, McAvoy has accumulated 71 goals and 361 points over 573 regular season appearances. His postseason statistics include six goals and 50 points in 97 playoff contests.
