McCarthy begins new chapter with hometown team

Gavin McCarthy ripped a shot off the post as friends and family looked on during the Buffalo Sabres' annual 3-on-3 competition on the final day of development camp.

Just one week after being selected by the Sabres with the 86th-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, the Clarence Center native enjoyed having his own crowd at LECOM Harborcenter. His parents, Joe and Liz, attended every on-ice session over the course of the week, taking advantage of the camp being so close to home.

They knew what to expect, having watched their oldest son, Case, go through the draft process after being selected by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round of the 2019 Draft. But when the McCarthys heard Gavin's name called by Buffalo, they knew this experience would be unique.

"It's been great," Joe McCarthy said. "Our entire family went down to Tennessee (for the draft), and we all got to share the experience with Gavin. Since we went through it with his oldest brother in Vancouver in 2019, we were a little bit prepared for what the process was. But watching Gavin go through it was an experience all of its own.

"To be able to come here to our hometown team and watch him at development camp is another very different, great experience because we weren't able to do that with our oldest son at his development camp."

McCarthy is no stranger to LECOM Harborcenter. The defenseman grew up playing for the Buffalo Jr. Sabres 13U, 14U, and 16U teams from 2018 to 2021. Although the scenery has not changed much, the experience at the rink has been special for him this time around.

"I think it's for sure a new chapter," McCarthy said after Monday's on-ice session. "Kind of being able to put on this NHL jersey is so exciting. Being in this rink again is just an amazing feeling. So, I think it's definitely a new chapter for me. You know, it's the National Hockey League, kind of what we dream of and what I grew up watching."

McCarthy has not only had the opportunity to play on his home rink, he's also been able to work with his former Jr. Sabres coach and mentor Tim Kennedy, who is now a part of the Sabres' development staff.

"As all three of our boys were coming up through this organization here," Joe said. "It was just a common occurrence with a lot of the Sabres mentoring all the boys as they were coming up through. So, it was a little bit of hockey, but it was more of a personal relationship at home.

"All the guys that surrounded Gavin since he was a mite hockey player here have been great and it's been a great experience. The Jr. Sabres program is a mentorship on top of hockey and it's a life mentorship. I think that's really important for any kid that's growing up around here and for Gavin, especially."

Having played under Kennedy previously, McCarthy recognized some familiar drills at development camp and spent time interacting with many familiar faces while his family watched from the stands.

"I think it's pretty cool wearing this jersey and we all grew up watching the Sabres, so just for me to wear this jersey and for them to come and watch me is definitely an amazing feeling," McCarthy said.

On his path to the NHL, McCarthy has not only utilized his coaches but has also looked up to his brother Case, who has been through his own process and has four years of college hockey under his belt.

This upcoming season, McCarthy will join his oldest brother as a member of Boston University's men's ice hockey team. Case will serve as team captain during the 2023-24 campaign.

"I went on those recruiting tours with Case and (it was) kind of just the first real school I saw and kind of just fell in love with the campus," McCarthy said. "It's just been my dream school ever since."

McCarthy's chance to play alongside his mentor was also one of the main reasons why he chose to attend BU.

"I saw Case go through it, for sure. He went through the process, and he's given me a ton of advice this year and even coming into this week," McCarthy shared prior to the draft. "I'm just really grateful to be here and kind of have that mentor that I can look up to and kind of ask questions whenever I want."

As the boys leave for Boston tomorrow, their parents look forward to how the mentorship and relationship will develop further both on and off the ice. For McCarthy, he will focus on getting bigger to fill out his frame and learn all he can from his brother during his rookie season.

"It's going to be amazing," McCarthy said. "I'm super excited to kind of play with him and, you know, he's my older brother. So, it's definitely going to be a different feel. But he's a veteran guy in that locker room and I'm just super excited to work with him."