Prospects Update | Q&A with goaltender Devon Levi

Devon Levi, one of the newest Sabres prospects, has impressed as one of the best goaltenders in the NCAA to start the 2021-22 season.
In the past calendar year, the 19-year-old from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec won a silver medal for Team Canada in the 2021 IIHF World Juniors, was traded to Buffalo, and started his collegiate hockey career at Northeastern.
After missing all of last year at Northeastern as a freshman due to injury, he has been a crucial part of the Huskies being ranked No. 20 in the country.
He leads the NCAA with four shutouts this season and only needs one more to tie the single-season program record.
"I try to do whatever I can to help my team win, regardless of the circumstances," he said.
Sabres.com caught up with Levi after Northeastern's weekend series against Hockey East opponent Maine.

On July 24, you were a part of the package sent to Buffalo in exchange for Sam Reinhart. What was that day like for you, and how did you find out that you were getting traded?
That was a crazy day. You can get traded at any time, but it was something that never crossed my mind because I was drafted less than a year before.
I found out by the Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito, and he let me know that I was being dealt to Buffalo. At first, I was surprised. But quickly it turned into excitement to be a part of a prestigious organization like the Sabres. I'm super excited to see what the future has in store.

You were drafted by the Panthers in the seventh round (212th overall) in 2020 after impressive numbers with the Carleton Place Canadians in the CCHL (34-2-1 record and a .941 save percentage). Were there any similarities in feelings when you were drafted compared to when you were traded?
That's a good question. The draft was crazy because I got picked in the last five selections and honestly had no idea if I was going to be picked or not. It was such a relief and probably the best day of my life.
But the trade wasn't an immediate thrill because I was shocked to get traded, but then I realized how lucky I am to be traded to Buffalo. Two different experiences, but two of the best things that have ever happened to me and I'm super grateful for both of them.
What was your mindset and preparation heading into this season considering you weren't able to play with Northeastern last season due to injury?
I was really excited to finally hit the ice and go to battle with the boys.
Last year, I was in the stands watching every game and I almost felt helpless not being able to be out there with them.
I wanted to make sure I could do whatever it took to help the team win and be a backbone of this year's group. They know that they can rely on me defensively so they can go out there and score some goals.

Your performance in last year's 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships really got people's attention for Team Canada. How did that experience help your progress against NHL talent competition?
I think that tournament was a huge confidence boost. Going in I knew that I could perform at the level that I did, but I just never had the opportunity to showcase them on a level like that. I was just having so much fun while doing it, and I think that was my recipe of success.
I was really proud of myself to work my way up from the CCHL to play World Juniors the next year. It made me realize that the numbers don't mean everything from what round you were drafted or what league you play in. If you're able to stop the puck and a good hockey player, you are going to play anywhere.
At the end of the day, it comes down to if you're having fun and doing whatever it takes to win. It was a great learning experience for me overall.
The most fascinating part is how you played with fractured ribs for the remainder of the tournament after making a save against Germany in the preliminary round, and still competed, helping Canada get a silver medal. How did you play at such a high level with an injury like that?
I had so much adrenaline, so it took a back seat in my mind and I didn't really like it too much. I just wanted to do whatever I could do to win because I worked my whole life to get to that point, so nothing was going to hold me back from not playing.
Buffalo is a tough, blue-collar city so I think they will appreciate your toughness. Other members on that Canadian World Junior team included Sabres prospects Dylan Cozens and Jack Quinn who, like yourself, had great numbers, combining for 21 points. What were your first impressions of them?
So, I actually didn't know anyone going into the tryouts or even talked to anyone before making the team. Obviously, I knew their names, but I never met anyone on the team.
Everyone was a new face which was really exciting getting to know guys like Jack and Dylan. They were both super, super welcoming, and extremely nice guys. Hopefully, I will get to play with them in the future with Buffalo.
Did Dylan and Jack reach out to you when you knew that you were traded to Buffalo, and if so, what did they say?
The trade wasn't even released yet, but right when I got traded, I actually texted both of them and said, "Boys, Guess what? I'm getting traded to Buffalo!"
They were going crazy and super excited for me… Now thinking about it, I probably wasn't even allowed to tell them yet but I knew they would be super happy for me. It was nice to be coming into an organization with two great players that I'm already good friends with.

You started off your collegiate career with the Northeastern Huskies with two shutouts against Bentley and Holy Cross. It took over 121 minutes before you allowed your first goal. A pretty good start wouldn't you say?
(Laughs) Yeah, I think so. I was just playing hockey and the boys were playing well in front of me. It was a great start and now we just have to keep it going to maintain this positive energy.
We still have to be a little more consistent with the level of competition we play, but we just have to play like we did to start the year game in and game out.

You were named Hockey East Goaltender of the Week after your third shutout. You picked up your fourth shutout on Friday night against UConn, which makes you tied for sixth in program history and it's only taken you seven games. What would you credit your early success to this season with the Huskies?
I credit it to two things.
First, the guys have been playing super well, and shutouts aren't always goaltending accolades because the team as a whole has to play really well.
Second, I was just so excited to play coming into this year with an extra boost of hunger so that boost of energy really helped too.

In a league that has seen an increase in height and weight in the past few decades, you're an anomaly at 6-foot-0 compared to the majority of goalies in the NHL. What are some of your best attributes in net and what do you do to make sure you're filling the net?
Personally, I don't think height is everything. At the pro level, the guys are so good at shooting, they can pick their spots regardless of the size of the goalie. I put a lot of emphasis on reading players so I can stay a step ahead of the competition.
I try to play fast and in control to give my eyes a chance to react by being in the right position to track the puck. Intelligence and speed are probably the two best parts of my game. I rely on my tactical instincts for the majority of the game, but I have the athleticism needed to make a crazy play.
Like you, the Sabres have gotten off to a great start this season. Have you gotten to follow them at all and see what is being built?
Oh, for sure, I follow on Instagram every day to keep up with everything going on. They've gotten off to an amazing start, and it's exciting to see.
What has the communication been like with the organization in terms of development coaches or other team personnel? Any specific pieces of advice?
I talk to our goalie development coach, Seamus Kotyk. I talk to him every week and he actually just came up to watch the weekend series against Maine so I finally got to meet him in person.
It's a good feeling for the organization to be investing so much time into my development so I really appreciate it a lot to be welcomed into open arms.
If you had one message for Buffalo fans, what would it be?
I'm super excited to come to Buffalo someday and play in front of you guys. It's a big dream and goal of mine, so I want to make that a reality. I actually played a minor hockey tournament in Buffalo when I was a kid, and we actually won the championship. So far, I'm a winner in Buffalo, and I want to keep that up.

Nadeau's 7-point night

Olivier Nadeau was our featured prospect in last week's update and he's only turned things up a notch since then.

Nadeau, Buffalo's fourth-round pick (97th overall) in this summer's draft, recorded four goals and three assists Saturday night for Shawinigan.
With his seven-point performance, he now leads the QMJHL in goals (11) and is second in points (21).