McCarthy returns to Sabres development camp after NCAA Frozen Four appearance

Despite losing the conference championship game and the Frozen Four semifinals, the 19-year-old was pleased with how the year went after being drafted by the Sabres in the third round last June.

“It was unbelievable,” McCarthy said. “Overall, it was a great year with a great group of guys. And, you know, we obviously didn’t get it done, but it was a lot of fun and a good learning experience for us.”

“I think I’m the same player, but I think I got a little bigger, a little stronger, a little faster. So a year in college really helped me.”

The 6-foot-2, 186-pound defenseman is one of eight college hockey players in camp this week — forwards Andon Cerbone, Matteo Costantini, Jake Richard, Stiven Sardarian and Jak Vaarwerk and defensemen Patrick Geary and Max Strbak are the others — which he said is great for college hockey.

“It shows how much college hockey has grown over the last few years,” McCarthy said. “There’s so many guys in camps and stuff. So yeah, it’s amazing to get to know them.”

McCarthy is also one of six former or current Buffalo Jr. Sabres players on the development camp roster, a list that includes 2024 sixth-round pick Patrick Geary, Costantini and roster invitees Ryan Smith, Jak Vaarwerk and Aiden McKenna.

McCarthy, who was a member of the 13U, 14U and 16U teams from 2018 to 2021, enjoyed being back on his childhood rink and having the unique opportunity to speak with coach Lindy Ruff.

“He was obviously a legend in Buffalo when I was younger,” McCarthy said. “But I’m just really grateful to have him here and I try to learn from him every chance I get, watch him on the ice and ask him all my questions.”

McCarthy will hit the road for the summer session and practice in Boston on Friday, but will spend the next two days making the most of his time with the rest of the Sabres’ prospects and development staff.

Here are more details about Day 2 of camp.