ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 19: Nikita Zadorov #91 of the Boston Bruins looks on during the second period of a game against the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center on November 19, 2025 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) Getty Images
Nikita Zadorov had to be tired on Thursday morning.
It had been less than 12 hours since the Bruins completed a four-city, eight-day road trip that spanned two time zones. In Wednesday’s win over the Islanders, Zadorov played a season-high 27 minutes and 38 seconds, and with him they’re never soft minutes. He delivered three hits and was hit three times and blocked two shots.
Sleeping in or at least staying in on a holiday with no practice had to at least sound appealing. But there Zadorov was on Thanksgiving morning at the Pine Street Inn, a Boston homeless shelter and food bank.
For 16 years, a member of the Bruins has bought Thanksgiving pies that have been distributed to needy residents of Boston. It started with Aaron Ward in 2008. Dennis Wideman (2009), Gregory Campbell (2010-14), Matt Beleskey (2015-17) and Zdeno Chara (2018-2020) all followed.
Charlie McAvoy took over in 2021 and, like many of his predecessors, bought the pies and helped distribute them. He and his family joined other volunteers at the different shelters, carving and serving turkeys.
But on Nov. 15, McAvoy was hit in the face with a puck, causing an injury that put him on injured reserve and made participation in this year’s food distribution unrealistic.
Finding a replacement for McAvoy could have been a challenge. A lot of teams would have coerced a rookie into doing it.
Since McAvoy went down, Zadorov, his defensive partner, has taken on some of his minutes and his leadership and, on Thursday, his pie distribution.
“It’s a great place and a great spot and great timing to help a community,” Zadorov said. “Obviously, Charlie’s been doing that for a while and he’s not with us today. He’s a little bit injured. So, somebody had to fill in and it’s been great.
“We all live in this city. There’s a lot of people who are not able to have food on the table, not able to be in the situation to have a Thanksgiving dinner,” he added. “So, I think it’s important to put the spotlight on it.”
Zadorov’s wife and two daughters helped prepare and distribute the food. They even brought their 7-month-old son with them. Zadorov hoped it would be a valuable experience for his daughters and explained what he hoped they would get out of participating.
“It’s a lot. First of all, to help, to be thankful for what you have,” he said. “A lot of people won’t have food on the table today, and that’s what we’re trying to do here, provide that for them. ... I think it’s definitely eye-opening for the kids and I think it’s important.”
Zadorov was asked what he’s thankful for.
“I’m thankful for my family first of all. I mean, I got three beautiful kids. I got a beautiful wife. They’ve been my supporters. They’ve been my rock. So, I’m thankful for them as well. I’m thankful for the team I’m playing on, too, for the city where I’m living. To have food on the table tonight. There’s a lot of different things for sure.”
Outtakes from a busy week...
Boston/New York rivalry week
Between Wednesday night’s Bruins win over the Islanders and Tuesday’s Celtics-Knicks game at TD Garden, teams from Boston and New York will square off four times and that doesn’t even include any free-agent jockeying for position, the Red Sox do against the Mets or Yankees.
With due respect to college football, it’s Boston vs. New York Rivalry Week.
How to get your owner over his fear of commitment
I need to be convinced that the Red Sox are willing to give a long-term contract to an elite free agent.
They’ve extended their own players, but continue to be allergic to offering the term needed to bring on many elite free agents.
Maybe they’ll acquire another pitcher in addition to Sonny Gray, but it sure looks like they made the trade to avoid having to commit long-term to a free agent.
Real Jeopardy! Clue
Sports clues from actual editions of America’s favorite quiz show. As always, mind the date
CATEGORY: Sports History - Final Jeopardy
Date: Monday
He wasn’t yet a U.S. citizen when he was named an All-American & won 2 Olympic gold medals for the country
— Answer below
The Top 5
The Top 5 New York teams Boston fans hate the most right now.
5 — Giants
4 — Rangers
3 — Knicks
2 — Jets
1 — Yankees - It’s always the Yankees.
Today in Boston Sports History
Nov. 28
1958 — The Red Sox sign Carl Yastrzemski, 19, for a $100,000 signing bonus.
1970 — Bobby Orr registered his 200th career assist.
Lightning round
Prediction: The Patriots will be at the Lions next year on Thanksgiving. The Lions host a game on Turkey Day every year and New England is scheduled to be at Detroit. And the Patriots figure to be a pretty good TV next year.
The Ravens’ loss to the Bengals will make it less likely that the Patriots’ game at Baltimore on Dec. 21 will get flexed to Sunday Night Football. Still, something is moving to the night slot because Bengals vs. Dolphins is still a pretty awful game.
Watching Cincinnati beat the Ravens on Thursday has to make Patriots fans feel at least a little relieved that Joe Burrow didn’t play last week.
With all of the music Bruce Springsteen is releasing from his vault, is there a Christmas album lurking in there to join “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “Merry Christmas Baby?”
Black Friday pricing: This column is 20% off, today only.
Real Jeopardy! Question:
Who is Jim Thorpe
Finally...
Happy National You’re Welcoming Day to those who celebrate.