There are three sets of brothers donning the Boston University Red hockey jersey this season. The Celebrinis and the Hudsons are only two years apart, while the McCarthys are four. 

“I think growing up, it was more between like me and our middle brother [Aiden]. Back when I was maybe 7, we played on the same team, but being able to play with Gavin, I didn't think that was ever going to be a possibility just because being four years older and kind of our own journeys, I didn't think [about] the opportunity,” fifth-year Case McCarthy said, “but I'm super grateful that it ended up working out the way it has.” 

Jack Hughes knows a thing or two about playing hockey with family. Sons of Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes, he played with brother Riley at Northeastern for two years. 

“It's definitely beneficial, especially for the younger guys. You know, sometimes they're hard on you, sometimes they know how you're feeling or what you're thinking. So they they want to keep you motivated and stuff like that,” Hughes explains. “That's definitely huge for those guys, and it honestly just brings that room a little bit closer together.” 

As captain of the Terriers squad, Case thinks the blood bonds make them a stronger locker room. 

“I think it's super special to see the camaraderie you guys build with each other, but also seeing the family ties in the locker room as well and seeing that dynamic is pretty special to watch,” McCarthy said. “And I think it definitely helps our team. It makes the level of comfortability a little bit easier. But I think everybody is the locker room super, super close and we're looking to build that family here.” 

But with a larger age gap, Gavin’s experience as a freshman on Commonwealth Avenue gives him pause to reflect on a bond that began in a backyard hockey rink in Clarence. 

“It's my last year of college hockey. I wish I was a freshman again, but going through at the same time, it's been awesome seeing [Gavin] go through the whole process, kind of helping him out here and there, but also letting him be himself and figure out who he is as a player, as a person [and] as a college student,” McCarthy said. 

Both Gavin and Case have been drafted to the NHL — the older selected by the New Jersey Devils (fourth round, 2019), the youngest by their hometown Buffalo Sabres (third round, 2023). Case very well could have left BU after last season to join the Devils organization, but shattering his collarbone in the Hockey East semifinals made him reconsider. 

“I think it was a little bit of a mix of both. Obviously with the injury, it played into it just understanding my situation, the opportunity that we have here as a team and the group we have, obviously that playing with your little brother is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So I think the more I thought about it and the more I was going through that decision-making process, the bigger role it played in coming back and having an opportunity,” he said. 

With Case coming back to Agganis Arena for a fifth season, he could have chosen to keep wearing number 2 — but instead, he passed it on to Gavin. 

“I don't think he had a choice,” Case joked to Gavin. “When I decided I wanted 7 — I grew up wearing 7 — I think me and Alex Vlasic were coming in as freshmen, both wanted 7. I think I lost rock, paper, scissors or something for it. But the history of the number, again, super grateful to be a part of it. But I think for me personally, being able to share that history with Gavin, kind of be in that same realm, like we have the history of the numbers in our stall, to have our names back-to-back on that list is pretty special for me.” 

While Gavin may always be looking up to Case (maybe not physically, as the youngest is starting to edge the eldest vertically speaking), he is strong in his sense of self, even with his name right under his brother’s on the #2 panel. 

“I don't think it's expectations. I think just play my game, play my own game,” Gavin said. “Nothing really changes, not trying to fill anybody else's shoes. So obviously I'm super grateful to be wearing it. And like you said, the numbers are in our style, so people see that for years to come, the back-to-back games and I think it's pretty cool.”