MCCARTHY GROWING IN SECOND APPEARANCE AT SABRES DEVELOPMENT CAMP
The 2023 third round selection is set to have larger role with Amerks in 2026-27 season
Jun 30, 2026By Griffin Della Penna
As prospects skated onto the ice at LECOM Harborcenter Monday afternoon, there weren’t as many former Rochester Americans on the ice compared to previous seasons. In fact, there were just three players present with a combined 15 games played in the Flower City.
In that group was Gavin McCarthy, who donned the red, white, and blue for five games with the Amerks in 2025-26. The right-handed defenseman made the jump to professional hockey following his third season at Boston University where the Troy, New York, native appeared in 113 games with 42 points.
As the youth movement continues in the Sabres organization with so many young prospects already penciled in Buffalo’s lineup, that leaves opportunities for players like McCarthy in Rochester.
“I thought that Gavin did a nice job at the end of the year, and there’s a lot of tools there,” said Amerks head coach Michael Leone following day one of camp. “Now it's just about rounding those skills out to play a pro game. It’s almost chaotic at times in the [American Hockey League], it's physical and a very hard game for young defenseman to get adjusted to.”
Leone, who is again leading this year’s camp along with Amerks assistant coach Nathan Paetsch along and Buffalo’s player development coaches, admitted that his role as the Eagles captain at Boston College was vastly different from his limited sample size with Rochester. Ending the season in the AHL allows McCarthy to get acclimated of what to expect in 2026-27 and beyond. Having the chance for a full offseason is an opportunity the Sabres front office believes will be vital in his development.
“I think his biggest thing is getting stronger… and that’s the same for a lot of the defensemen here who are coming to the AHL," said Leone. “I’m excited to see him and his growth when he enters training camp because I know he will put in the work in the summer to be ready to go.”
In contrast, something that isn’t lacking inside LECOM Harborcenter are skaters who have experience at the NCAA level. Of the 28 prospects attending development camp in Buffalo, 13 of them have gone the college hockey route.
The NCAA previously wasn’t an option for high-level prospects who played junior hockey because they would receive a monthly stipend for living expenses, which resulted in them being ineligible. The NCAA changed this rule prior to the 2025-26 season, allowing prospects who participate in major junior hockey to “retain college eligibility as long as they are not paid more than actual and necessary expenses as part of that participation.”
This ripple effect has resulted in many NHL hopefuls viewing college hockey as the best option after playing major junior hockey. Last Friday, the Sabres selected standout defenseman Daxon Rudolph with the fourth overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. After playing for the Prince Albert Raiders of the Western Hockey League, Rudolph plans to attend the University of Denver next season, which wouldn’t be possible if it wasn’t for the updated NCAA ruling.
“I’m really glad that the rule change happened because I think it’s great for kids to go to college. It’s a great development path for young players to take now. They are able to put so much time in the gym with a lighter schedule and the level of competition continues to get better,” said Leone.
Days 3 and 4 of Development Camp feature on-ice sessions beginning at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday before the three-on-three competition, which will highlight the camp on Thursday, July 2 at 9:30 a.m. The on-ice sessions take place in downtown Buffalo at LECOM HarborCenter throughout the week are free and open to the public.