On Campus: Six standout NHL prospects entering December

Devon Levi
, a Buffalo Sabres prospect, has established himself as one of the top goalies in NCAA hockey this season, his second at Northeastern University.

Levi (6-foot, 184 pounds) is 13-4 with one tie, a 1.33 goals-against average, .955 save percentage and six shutouts in 18 games. The 19-year-old leads NCAA goalies in save percentage, saves (504) and minutes played (1,085:44), and is tied for first in shutouts. He was named Hockey East Rookie of the Month in October and November.
He didn't play a college game as a freshman last season after sustaining a rib injury helping Canada finish second at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship. He was named the tournament's best goalie.
"He's big time," Northeastern coach Jerry Keefe said. "He really is. The kid's focus is off the charts. Not only is he really talented and athletic, his focus … holy smokes."
Levi has allowed 12 goals in his past 12 games, including one goal on 72 shots to help Northeastern to back-to-back wins against Providence by a combined score of 6-1 on Friday and Saturday.
"Devon right now is in a zone," Keefe said after Levi made 34 saves in a 4-1 win Saturday.
He was selected by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round (No. 212) of the 2020 NHL Draft, and was traded to the Sabres on July 28, along with a first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, for forward Sam Reinhart.
During every timeout, Levi drops to his knees between the faceoff circles 15 feet in front of his net, bows his head and uses breathing techniques to reset.
"Just clearing my mind, focusing on my breath, staying in the moment," he said. "It's real easy to get carried away with fans screaming at you, it's real easy to get into all the distracting things that don't apply to the game. So I just take a few moments to clear my head and remember what the important part of the moment is, going out and having fun and stopping pucks for my teammates."
Levi's strong start has made him a strong candidate for the Mike Richter Award, which is given to the most outstanding goalie in NCAA Division I.
"He's one of those kids, he really, really enjoys the game of hockey," Keefe said. "It's not work for him. He loves it. It's his passion."
Here are five more NHL prospects who had big weekends:
Scott Morrow, D, Massachusetts (Carolina Hurricanes)
Morrow (6-2, 195) scored three points (two goals, one assist) in two games against UMass-Lowell on Friday and Saturday to give him points in five straight games (three goals, three assists) and goals in three in a row.
The 19-year-old has scored 14 points (six goals, eight assists) in 14 games, second among freshman NCAA defensemen behind Michigan's Luke Hughes (New Jersey Devils), who has scored 16 points (seven goals, nine assists). Morrow will compete for a spot with the United States at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship at selection camp from Dec. 13-15.
The Hurricanes selected Morrow in the second round (No. 40) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Ryder Rolston, F, Notre Dame (Chicago Blackhawks)
Rolston (6-2, 185) scored four points (two goals, two assists) in games against Ohio State on Friday and Saturday, and the 20-year-old has scored 11 points (five goals, six assists) during a seven-game point streak.
The sophomore is second on Notre Dame with 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 15 games.
Rolston was selected by the Colorado Avalanche in the fifth round (No. 139) of the 2020 NHL Draft and was traded to the Blackhawks along with forward Josh Dickinson for forward Carl Soderberg on April 12. His father, Brian Rolston, played 1,256 NHL games with five teams.
Nathan Smith, F, Minnesota State (Winnipeg Jets)
Smith (6-0, 177) scored 31 seconds into overtime in a 2-1 victory against Michigan Tech on Friday and had a goal and two assists in a 3-1 win against Michigan Tech on Saturday.
A junior center, the 23-year-old is tied for second among NCAA players with 26 points (11 goals, 15 assists) in 18 games.
Smith was selected by the Winnipeg Jets in the third round (No. 91) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Brett Stapley, F, Denver (Montreal Canadiens)
Stapley (5-10, 173) scored six points (four goals, two assists) in wins at Arizona State on Friday and Saturday, and has scored 15 points (six goals, nine assists) in 14 games.
A senior, the 22-year-old was chosen by the Canadiens in the seventh round (No. 190) of the 2018 draft.
Matthew Stienburg, F, Cornell (Colorado Avalanche)
Stienburg (6-1, 182) scored a natural hat trick in the third period of a 4-1 win against St. Lawrence on Friday and had an assist in a 4-4 tie against Clarkson on Saturday.
He leads Cornell with 18 points (eight goals, 10 assists) in 11 games.
The 21-year-old was picked by the Avalanche in the third round (No. 63) of the 2019 NHL Draft.