Levi to make NHL debut with Sabres in playoff race
Goalie ready for 'great challenge' against Rangers on Friday
By
Heather Engel
NHL.com Independent Correspondent
"It's exciting," Levi said Thursday. "I've been dreaming of this moment my whole life, so for it to finally be here, it's a big deal. I'm really excited."
The 21-year-old goalie signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Sabres on March 17 shortly after his junior season with Northeastern University ended. Levi (6-foot, 184 pounds) was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (No. 212) of the 2020 NHL Draft and traded to Buffalo on July 24, 2021.
"There were factors we spoke of prior to his arrival, getting acclimated with the team and teammates, getting some practice time," Sabres coach Don Granato said. "Building relationships, obviously lots of new relationships for him, and just making sure we knew we were putting him in. It was something we wanted to do based on his acclamation, and he feels that he's acclimated well enough that tomorrow is the right time."
Levi joined the Sabres on the ice for the first time for a morning skate on March 24 but did not dress for a 5-4 win against the New Jersey Devils. Until then, while his immigration paperwork was being processed, he took advantage of the wait by watching practices and taking it all in as a spectator. With three days in between games this week, he was able to take the next step with two full practices.;
"It's obviously a different perspective being in the blue paint than being in the stands," he said. "Getting both and kind of just being around the guys, understanding how the game works and how the game unfolds, seeing their shots, seeing what they like to do on the ice. Just being out there has taught me a lot just in this one week or less than a week that I've been on the ice, so I think it'll be valuable moving forward and I can't wait to keep practicing with the guys. They're unbelievable, so getting better every day."
Levi said he'll have family and friends in attendance Friday, including his parents and younger brother.
"They've been with me throughout the whole journey, so it means a lot that they're coming to support me," Levi said. "It'll be great to have them here tomorrow."
Levi's debut comes with Buffalo among several teams battling for a wild card spot into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference. The Sabres are seven points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins for the second wild card with two games in hand.
"It's a great situation to be in," Levi said. "I want to help the team make a playoff run. It just makes the game even more valuable, even more precious. It's just a great opportunity and I'm just grateful that they're giving it to me."
Buffalo, which has not qualified for the playoffs since 2011, has used three goalies this season: Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (31 starts), Craig Anderson (23 starts) and Eric Comrie (19 starts).
Levi was 17-12-5 with a 2.24 goals-against average and .933 save percentage with Northeastern this season. He led NCAA Division I men's hockey in save percentage for the second straight season and is finalist for the Mike Richter Award as the top goalie in college hockey, which he won last year. Levi was also named Hockey East Goalie of the Year and Player of the Year, and was a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, presented annually to recognize the top NCAA men's hockey player.
"Obviously, the accomplishments that he's had at the college level are indicative of the work he's put in at the college level," Granato said. "That's a major component that we feel we have a player coming out of the collegiate level that has used that time to prepare for this next opportunity as well as anybody. So, those and many other factors go into our comfort in putting him in sooner than later."
Against the Rangers, Levi will face one of the top teams in the East with an offense that includes Mika Zibanejad, Artemi Panarin, Patrick Kane and Vladimir Tarasenko.
"It's unreal," Levi said. "I wouldn't want it any other way. Going up against the best is why I'm here, why I'm excited. It'll be a great challenge tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it."
