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The Buffalo Sabres‘ mascot Sabretooth has a new friend running around KeyBank Center − and he’s named after a soldier from the Finger Lakes area.
The team recently announced a furry addition to their lineup for the 2025-26 season, an almost 6-month-old Newfoundland puppy named Mac, after Canandaigua native Sgt. Heath A. McMillin.
The 52-pound chocolate-colored puppy “enjoys naps, chasing his siblings, taking himself on walks, and his service dog training (especially the treats he receives for doing a good job),” the Sabres said.
Here’s what to know.
Who was Sgt. McMillin?
A Canandaigua native, McMillin was killed while on patrol in an attack south of Baghdad in July 2003 at 29 years old. He had ties to the Buffalo area as well, as he’d been assigned to the 105th Military Police Company of the Army National Guard in Buffalo.
What is the ‘Pawsitive for Heroes’ program?
Mac is the fifth Sabres team dog to participate in the WNY Heroes “Pawsitive for Heroes” program, which trains service dogs for local veterans who are in medical need.
Past Sabres pups include Audie, who was paired with Lancaster native and Marine Corps veteran Chad DuFrane after the 2024-25 season, Blue, who was paired with U.S. Army veteran Kristofer Bystrak after the 2023-24 season, Nikki, who was paired with Air Force veteran Sondra Lee Ramos after the 2022-23 season and Rick, who was paired with U.S. Coast Guard veteran Chris Kankiewicz after the 2021-22 season.
Mac will complete his training by helping inmates at a local correctional facility, including incarcerated veterans, learn a skill they can use after their release.
Emily Barnes reports on consumer-related issues for the USA TODAY Network’s New York Connect Team, focusing on scam and recall-related topics. Follow her on X and Instagram @byemilybarnes. Get in touch at ebarnes@gannett.com.