Gavin McCarthy's case is a first for Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams. The 18-year-old is the first NHL draft-eligible prospect that Adams knows this well: as a "neighborhood kid."

"You learn a lot in this job, but this is a first of, you know, a neighborhood kid," Adams explained with a smile. "I mean, he grew up, he went to kindergarten with my daughter, and they're great. You know, my daughters graduating in a couple of days. So it's just pretty cool, though. I'm proud of him."

What You Need To Know

  • Gavin McCarthy was born in Troy, N.Y. but moved to Clarence early in his childhood
  • McCarthy is heading to Boston University with his older brother Case, who was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in 2019 (fourth round, 118th overall)
  • McCarthy registered 12 pull ups at the Combine, tied for 10th overall among all prospects — as well as placing in the top 25 for the horizontal jump at 108.0 inches

At the 2023 NHL Draft Combine held at LECOM Harborcenter, Adams was sitting with other thoughts leaders of the Buffalo organization — head coach Don Granato, Director of Amateur Scouting Jerry Forton and assistant director Jason Nightingale — as he took his phone out to snap a photo of McCarthy performing various athletic tests in front of him and other NHL front office members, sending it back to McCarthy's parents.

Despite the obvious connection and childhood fandom, McCarthy — a natural analyst and self-described "statistical geek" — has resisted thinking about the potential of being drafted by Buffalo.

"I kind of just control what I can control. If they were to draft me, it'd be huge honor. It'd be amazing, you know, kind of just being from around here watching them. My favorite team growing up," McCarthy said. "I'm just honored by whoever picks me, you know, I'm just looking forward to that."

McCarthy's older brother Case was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the fourth round in the 2019 NHL Draft. Not only was he Gavin's role model, but Hamburg native Quentin Musty cites Case as a source of inspiration as well.

"He's helped me a ton throughout this whole year, kind of just giving me advice here and there, especially coming into these interviews," McCarthy said. "He kind of just told me to be myself, you know, just be truthful in these interviews. So he's helped me a ton throughout the process. It's a stressful year for everybody, but, you know, I couldn't be more grateful for him."

Growing up with a Navy SEAL father and being the youngest of three brothers naturally molded McCarthy into a more physical role on ice.

"Yeah, I'd say a little bit of both. I think my dad's kind of instilled that toughness into me, but I think kind of just growing up with two older brothers, everything's competitive in the house and, you know, definitely take a couple of beatings," McCarthy said.

The Jr. Sabres alum cherishes those roots, and gave him pause during some of the Combine formalities in his hometown rink as he embarks on the next big chapter in his life.

"I've grown up around here. I went to the hospital the other day for the medical test, so I saw those kids kind of in there, and I was just talking to them a little bit. It's just so cool seeing them," McCarthy explained. "You know, they play for the same teams I did and kind of just for them to see me, I just want to inspire them and kind of just, you know, be a good mentor for all the good Buffalo kids around here."