Nashville, Tenn. (WGR 550) - With the 86th overall pick in to 2023 NHL Draft, the Buffalo Sabres select local product Gavin McCarthy from the Muskegon Lumberjacks in the United States Hockey League (USHL).
The defensive prospect from Clarence Center has spent the past two seasons in the USHL with Muskegon after spending three years playing with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres program. In his 95 career games with the Lumberjacks, McCarthy has put up 40 points (10+30).
This past season, the 6-foot-2, 186-pound blue liner was able to score eight goals and tack on 19 assists for 27 points in 42 games, but missed some time due to an injury. McCarthy led all Muskegon defensemen in power play goals with four.
LISTEN LIVE TO WGR:
Here is what Elite Prospects had to say about McCarthy in their scouting report:
"Gavin McCarthy is part-robust defender, part-clever creator. He throws crushing hits, wins inside positioning, and eliminates off-puck threats. When the puck arrives, his advantage-creating skills take over. He fakes out incoming forecheckers before hitting both long-range darts and slick short-range plays around opponents. There’s also plenty of flash to McCarthy’s puck game. An angle changing wrister and a non-stop activation game make him a constant threat."
McCarthy is committed to play collegiately with Boston University starting as a freshman next season. He will join his older brother Case, who will captain the Terriers in his fifth collegiate season.
Case McCarthy is a former fourth-round selection (118th overall) of the New Jersey Devils in the 2019 NHL Draft.
Related
