With Brad Marchand and Charlie McAvoy on the shelf, Charlie Coyle and Brandon Carlo have both been elevated to Bruins ’ alternate captains. It’s a proud distinction, an official designation of leadership for a team they’ve spent most of the last decade with.

On Tuesday morning, the Bruins announced that the journeyman defenseman is headed back to the AHL after two games in Boston. The move leaves Boston, at least temporarily, with just six healthy defensemen until they either recall another defenseman or Charlie McAvoy returns to action.

Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy shared his first public comments following his injury with Team USA at the 4 Nations Face-Off, posting on Instagram about the experience and his subsequent hospitalization.

McAvoy injured his right shoulder in Team USA’s opener and a subsequent infection necessitated a hospital stay.