Choosing BU just came naturally for McCarthy.

“The first thing, the campus is in downtown Boston and it just felt normal,” he said. “Hockey has been a strong sport there with several national championships. It has definitely had that success. After they won the 2009 national championship, just making it to the Frozen Four really draws attention and I knew I wanted to play here. The coaching staff and academics really hit the right spot for me. I just knew it was the right spot for me.”

The 6-foot-1, 194-pound blueliner has seen a huge difference in his game from his Under-17 season to this year, especially after missing the last half of season due to injury. He knew how hard he had to work and push himself to be prepared for the college competition in his Under-18 year.

“I definitely gained an appreciation of how hard you have to work,” stated McCarthy, who grew up in Clarence Center, New York. “I took that into the summer and really pushed myself. I want to help this team in any way possible and I came back with that mentality and willingness to push myself.

“I did the normal workouts that we have to do in the summer but I also tried to do yoga one day a week. It was a change up in my routine. I definitely had it in my mindset that I was going to push myself.”

McCarthy really appreciates the opportunities to play the college competition. He understands how much it will help in the team’s development.

“It’s a great opportunity for us,” he explained. “It’s a chance for us to not only compete but to compete and win. We are playing in a different atmosphere. We have the talent and drive in the locker room to win. We need to come out, compete and work hard to earn that point. I think we are more comfortable out there this year.

“From a hockey-playing stance, we get to play games against older guys and see where we are at in our game. The biggest difference is how loud it is in the arena. The Notre Dame and Michigan pep bands were loud. It’s really cool to play in those barns.”

McCarthy and his U18 teammates have already picked up wins over Notre Dame (4-1 on Oct. 7) and Michigan (6-3 on Oct. 12).

“It was very exciting and we were able to enjoy the victory with the guys in the locker room. It was cool to get wins over two storied schools. It definitely showed that we could compete with those programs,” he said.

Plus, it has shown him just how important it is to do the little things, both on and off the ice in order to have that success.

“It is really a chance for us to show our process that we have been using the last two years,” said McCarthy. “We have really bought into it. We need to take care of our bodies with three games in four days. We need to rest, eat right and prepare for each game. It will be important to stay hydrated, stretch and do the little things off the ice to help set us up for success.

“We have a close-knit group and hang out off the ice. We are all competitive and want to win. We are willing to do the little things to make that happen.”

We have a close-knit group and hang out off the ice. We are all competitive and want to win. We are willing to do the little things to make that happen.

This season has been one of many firsts for McCarthy. He had the opportunity to play in the 2018 USA Hockey All-American Prospects Game at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on Oct. 19.

“It was another surreal moment,” said McCarthy, who played on the winning Jamie Langenbrunner team. “I grew up watching the game. It was cool for me to be a part of it and to play in an NHL rink. To be able to see the event and play with and against some of my current teammates for me was very humbling.”

One thing will never change for McCarthy and that is how much it means to him to wear the stars and stripes.

“It a huge honor to wear the USA jersey on a daily basis whether it is in practice or games or international tournaments,” he said. “My dad served in the military as a Navy SEAL. I have cousins who are in the Marines, the Navy, and the Air Force. There is so much pride in wearing the USA colors. It really gives you appreciation on what the military does so we can do the things we do.