How do you estimate the chances that two little neighbors from Dollard-des-Ormeaux will outrageously dominate the NCAA goalies one day? And they do it at the same time?
Posted at 7:00 a.m.
Yet that is precisely what has happened this season. Yaniv Perets and Devon Levi, childhood friends who became rivals on the ice, have invited themselves into the record books of the first division of the American university circuit.
The first, who defends the net of the Quinnipiac Bobcats, is limited to a goals against average of 1.17, unheard of. The second, from the Northeastern Huskies, stopped 95.2% of shots aimed at him, just shy of the all-time record. And this, despite facing more than 30 shots per game.
Both were among ten preliminary finalists for the Hobey-Baker Trophy, awarded to the country’s most outstanding college player. However, we learned on Thursday that they were not from top 3 ultimate. Levi’s absence, in particular, has raised some eyebrows on social media, given the impact he’s had on his team.
However, Montrealers refuse to take offense. In unison – metaphorically, because the interviews were done individually – they specify that they would have preferred to carry their respective teams to the national championship. The Huskies lost in the round of 16 and the Bobcats in the quarterfinals. Neither will therefore be from the prestigious Frozen Four.
In fact, it is to wonder if the two young men do not share the same brain. Their vision of their sport and their journey is strictly identical. Their composure and maturity quickly make you forget that Levi is only 20 and Perets, 22. When it comes to their individual successes, they give credit to their teammates. And neither takes a look at their stats until the season is over.
Perets, who stays away from social networks, says that even his parents respect this desire to never approach his performances.
“If you want to be successful, all your focus has to be on what’s happening on the ice,” he says. I really want to eliminate all distractions. When you get there, it’s pretty cool, I think. »
Once the season is over, does he give in to temptation? “Yes, obviously it was a good season. But the ultimate goal remained the championship, and we didn’t get there. »
Inseparable
If the two are so close, it’s because they’ve been spending a lot, a lot of time together, and have been for many years.
They were children when they met. Since a year and a half separates them, they played in the same hockey category every other year. They notably shared the net of the Lac St-Louis Lions at the pee-wee and bantam levels.
Over time, their families grew closer. Dinners at one’s parents’ house have become as customary as afternoons at the pool with the other’s parents.
They still spend their summers together, a lot more often on the ice than sunbathing, though. For the past few years, they have been working with Marco Raimondo, goalkeeper coach at McGill University.
Perets describes Levi as a person who “excels in everything”. A student emeritus – he studies computer science – he totally dominated the midget AAA league as a teenager. And today we know of his exploits at Northeastern. “He is totally dedicated to everything he does, sums up the eldest of the duo. He’s a great person and an incredible goalkeeper. »
Devon doesn’t let himself be prayed for either to praise Yaniv, who “doesn’t get the recognition he deserves”, according to him.
“Anyway, that’s not what he’s looking for,” Levi says. He never stopped working hard. I knew he would eventually get some attention, he’s too good of a keeper and a good person to ignore. I’m really happy for him. »
Different paths
The two goalkeepers may come together on a multitude of points, but their journey is not identical.
It was from the midget ranks that the break was made. Levi spent three seasons in the midget AAA league. Determined to play in the NCAA, he skipped the QMJHL and moved to Ontario for a year to play at the Junior A level, which he dominated unchallenged. That’s when the eyes of NHL scouts landed on him. The Press had also dedicated a portrait to him after the 2020 draft.
Here he is today in the organization of the Buffalo Sabers, very close to a passage among the professionals (see other text).
Perets took an even longer detour. He too opted for the Ontario Junior A, but after only one year in the Quebec Midget AAA. Unlike his old friend, he simply hadn’t been drafted by the QMJHL. And it wasn’t so bad, because he too was ogling the NCAA.
He then turned to the Boston Junior Bruins, a team in the NCDC, a Northeastern American development league which sends its players to the universities of the country.
Bet won: he then signed up with Quinnipiac, a Connecticut establishment, but he had to wait another year before playing. New exodus, this time in the BCHL, British Columbia Junior A circuit. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated his move to Quinnipiac, where he played just two games last year before being handed the net for good this season.
A long road, in short, for one who, at 22, is not affiliated with any professional team.
His dream has always been to play in the NHL. However, “I never did anything by rushing things,” he recalls. “I always took the necessary time and took the next step when I was ready. There are still so many things I want to improve. I still want to refine my game, gain physical strength… I feel that playing at university gives me the time I need. »
Time, he has indeed in front of him. He has three years of eligibility left to play hockey. For the time being, he is following a general education in administration, but has not yet chosen the subject that will constitute his major. He thinks of psychology. We’ll see.
Does he like the attention he’s getting with his recent hits? “Yeah, that’s cool,” he said simply.
Have professional clubs called after this dream season?
” No idea. I stay away from that, I leave that to my adviser. »
Because yes, eliminating distractions goes so far.