Goalie prospect 'so happy' to be in Buffalo, learn from veteran Craig Anderson
BUFFALO -- The smile on Devon Levi’s face said it all.
As he stood before the assembled media for the first time since signing his entry-level contract on Friday, Levi, wearing a Buffalo Sabres hoodie bearing his No. 27 and hat, beamed as he talked about the beginning of his new journey as an NHL player.
“It's been a long ride, it's been a great ride,” he said. “I never thought I'd be here. When I was a kid, it was a dream and to be able to live it out, I'm just super grateful, super honored to be here. It's a dream come true.”
Levi’s college season with the Northeastern Huskies ended March 11. Fans anxiously awaited news on his future as college teammates signed their respective entry-level deals.
He met via Zoom with general manager Kevyn Adams, other management staff, coach Don Granato, and Rochester Americans coach Seth Appert to discuss what was next and it proved to be fruitful.
“I share a lot of the same morals and visions that [Kevyn] does with his group,” Levi said. “He's trying to get a lot of good people, not only good hockey players, but just quality human beings. And he's doing it the right way. So, it was a decision that I took my time to make sure it was the right one but when I made up my mind, it was an easy decision. I just felt in my heart that I wanted to be a Sabre. I'm so happy to be here.”
The opportunity to learn from veteran Craig Anderson was a factor in that decision. His leadership impact on the Sabres over his two seasons in Buffalo has been notable as the young group finds its way.
The 41-year-old noted Levi is eager to learn, asking lots of questions. Anderson said the 21-year-old just needs to be himself.
“We’re here to help him, we’re here to help him be a part of this,” he said. “If he’s got questions, we’ve all got answers. We’ve all been there. There’s nothing I’ve gone through that he’s not going to go through. He got the opportunity here because of who he is and what he’s done, and that shouldn’t change.”
Just under a month remains in the NHL regular season and, at some point, Levi could see action. But no matter what, the impact of his surroundings over the final stretch isn’t lost on him.
“I feel like in this month or so that I’m here I can get a year’s worth of development out of,” he said. “I’m just really excited facing these shots, being with NHL players, Mike Bales, NHL goaltending coach. Just being around the guys, learning how to be a pro more than I already know how to do, it’s just all great for maturing and my development.”
Levi’s studious nature has helped that development and it showed as the Sabres practiced Monday. After watching much of the session from the bench, he moved into the stands for small-area drills at one end of the rink, sitting behind the net that Anderson occupied.
“I think it's natural for guys to sit up there, but he was studying it,” coach Don Granato said. “The best players that I have been around, elite NHL All Stars, their history is when they were kids they sat at a game and studied it like that. They just put themselves in that situation and that's why they've become great players. They've learned through and taught themselves to learn. …
“Devon definitely approaches his position very, very seriously. He's accomplished what he's accomplished because he's worked with the coaches he's had very well. He wants to learn more, but he's studied it himself.”
That pursuit of learning, combined with his athleticism, mobility, quickness and, per Northeastern goalie coach Mike Condon, “unbelievable reads”, have helped his game continued flourish.
He went back to school looking to continue his development while faced with the challenge of the weight of expectations following his record-setting rookie season for the Huskies. Levi did just that, maintaining a 2.24 goals-against average and an NCAA-best .933 save percentage.
He was named Hockey East Goalie of the Year for a second straight year, is once again a finalist for the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in collegiate hockey, which he won last season.
“Going back to Northeastern, there was a lot of expectation that I’ve got to have another great year and this and that. But for me, I’m just going to go out and do the thing I love, stop the puck, and I trust that the outcomes are going to take care of themselves,” he said.
Levi isn’t walking into a complete unknown. He was teammates with Dylan Cozens, Peyton Krebs and Jack Quinn at the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship and got to know Owen Power when both were on Team Canada at the 2022
Winter Olympic Games.
He also got his first taste of life in the Sabres organization last summer at development camp, which included Krebs, Quinn, Power, JJ Peterka and Mattias Samuelsson.
“That week was an amazing week, and I was sad to leave, honestly,” Levi said. “I had a great time. I'm so glad to be back. And it feels like home."