The Bruins defenseman addressed the media for the first time since the injury sustained Oct. 18 against the Edmonton Oilers. McAvoy said he is making progress, and he has practiced with the Bruins this week wearing a non-contact jersey.
"It's still a day at a time," said McAvoy, who had six points (one goal, five assists) in seven games before the injury. "My spirits are high and I'm optimistic. Things are going well. I'm starting to skate more and integrate with the team. That's the best part for me, because they've been doing a heck of a job. It's so good to see them all again and be skating with them."
McAvoy said he went through "a plethora" of concussion symptoms, which overwhelmed him, especially at first. The 20-year-old confirmed it was his first concussion.
"I've worked with the trainers and the doctors on really doing concussion rehab," he said. "They've started to slowly fade away. Obviously, I would have loved for it to happen faster, but this is where we're at. Staying patient and staying positive is something that I'm trying to do my best with."
Or, as he put it, "My brain's out of shape."
A knee injury in McAvoy's rookie season sidelined him for a month. He has played 70 of 108 games in his first two NHL seasons.
"It's been an experience for me, for sure, going through [a concussion] the first time, kind of learning more about it as I go," McAvoy said. "Unfortunately, I would have loved to have not gone through it, but nonetheless, it's been an experience for me and I'm learning a lot of valuable things."
