Quebec’s most promising prospect in net, Devon Levi, is expected to make his National Hockey League (NHL) debut with the Buffalo Sabers on Friday night.
• Read also: Devon Levi is living the dream one day at a time
Enthusiasm is beginning to win over observers, given the 21-year-old’s incredible performance in the university ranks. ESPN Network pundit Kevin Weekes claimed on Thursday that Levi would get the start against the New York Rangers.
A former goaltender himself, Weekes can’t wait to see the Dollard-des-Ormeaux native in action. Same story on the side of Curtis McElhinney, a former color carrier of eight NHL teams, who said he was excited on social networks by the start of Levi’s career.
It could be quite an order against a team already qualified for the playoffs. With nine games to go, the Sabers have yet to raise the white flag and find themselves just a few points away from qualifying.
Having signed his first professional contract on March 17, the Hobey-Baker Trophy finalist said he was happy to be in Buffalo, even if he could have continued his career with Northeastern University. Either way, Levi had little to prove in the NCAA, as evidenced by his stats for the 2022-23 season.
The former Florida Panthers draft pick went 17-12-5 with a .933 save percentage and 2.24 goals-against average. His previous season was even better, with a 21-10-1 record, .952 save percentage and 1.54 GAA.