Buffalo Sabres Select a Clarence Native in the 2023 NHL Draft

The 2023 NHL Draft is almost done, as there is four rounds left on Thursday. Round one took place on Wednesday night from Nashville.

The Sabres selected right winger Zach Benson with the 13th overall pick. Benson likely will stay in the WHL this season but the highly-skilled forward will likely develop into a top-six forward once he makes the NHL.

Buffalo drafted center/winger Anton Wahlberg with the 39th overall pick and defenceman Maxim Strbak with the 45th overall pick.

The Sabres next took a hometown product in round three.

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The Buffalo Sabres have selected Clarence native Gavin McCarthy with the 86th overall pick.

The defenseman was the 52nd ranked North American skater, according to NHL Central Scouting. The Sabres get him with pick 86, which is tremendous value.

Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams is also a Clarence native and knows the McCarthy family well, so no other NHL team knew Gavin better as a person and player than the Sabres.

Hamburg native Quentin Musty was selected last night by the San Jose Sharks (26th overall). There was talk of Buffalo taking him with the 13th overall pick.

There's more NHL-level talent coming out of Western New York than ever before. Musty and McCarthy are well-known by hockey families in Buffalo and there are sure to be even more NHL players that will be from Western New York in the future.

McCarthy likely won't play for the Sabres for another 3-4 years but it has to be the ultimate dream come true to be selected by the team you grew up rooting for.