The Buffalo Sabres have struggled the past decade–especially in net–but their future is bright. On 17 March the Sabres signed goaltending prospect Devon Levi, a 2023 Hobey Baker nominee. Devon Levi’s journey from playing junior hockey for the Carleton Place Canadians to being a top prospect for the Buffalo Sabres is an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication. But who is Devon Levi and why are so many Sabres fans touting him as the next Ryan Miller? Let’s start across the state.
Henrik Lundqvist was selected 205th overall in the 7th Round of the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. 20 years later Devon Levi would be selected 212th overall in the 7th Round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft by the Florida Panthers. Let’s be honest, by the 4th round, most of us fans aren’t paying attention–but this is where scouts truly shine and earn their paycheck. When the 2020 World Juniors began, many fans outside the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) wondered who was the guy starting between the pipes for Canada–even commentators had no idea who he was.
Levi was born on December 27, 2001, in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, Canada. He played minor hockey for the Lac St-Louis Lions before joining the Carleton Place Canadians of the Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) in 2018. Levi quickly established himself as one of the best goaltenders in the league. In his rookie season, he posted a record of 34-2-1 with a 1.47 goals-against average (GAA) and a .941 save percentage (SV%). Amongst an accolade of awards, he was named the league’s rookie of the year and led his team to 1st overall before the season was cut short due to the pandemic.
Levi’s outstanding play caught the attention of NHL scouts, and he was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. After being drafted, Levi continued to work hard and improve his game. He became a standout player in the 2020 World Juniors, helping the Canadian squad reach the gold medal game against the United States. He joined Northeastern University’s men’s ice hockey team for the 2020-21 season but saw no action due to injury.
In his first season of NCAA action, he posted a record of 21-10-1 with a 1.54 GAA and a .952 SV%. He was named the Hockey East Rookie of the Year and was awarded the Mike Richter Award, which is given to the top goaltender in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey. His second season with Northeastern he posted a record of 17-12-5 with a 2.24 GAA and a .933 SV%, making him Mike Richer Award and Hobey Baker finalist yet again. Levi’s rise from playing junior hockey in Canada to being a top prospect for the Buffalo Sabres is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has worked tirelessly to improve his game and has overcome many obstacles along the way. With his impressive talent and work ethic, Levi has a bright future ahead of him in the NHL.
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Author: CD, Host, Pigeonhole Hockey Podcast
