Montrealer Devon Levi agreed with the Buffalo Sabers on the terms of a three-year entry contract on Friday afternoon.
“It’s a dream come true,” exclaimed the native of Dollard-des-Ormeaux during a telephone interview with La Presse. “I dreamed of signing an NHL contract since I was a kid. I’m really excited to join the Sabers. »
And he will soon. Levi confirms that he will head to Buffalo to train with his new teammates. A decision will then be made on whether he will stay with the Sabers or join their school club, the Rochester Americans.
The 212th-overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft feels he “outflanked the odds” to get here today. This contract is the consecration of two successful seasons with Northeastern University.
The signing of the pact comes six days after the 21-year-old goalie’s squad was eliminated from the Hockey East tournament. He was therefore free to join the Sabers.
The good news has been piling up in the camp of the Quebec goalkeeper in recent weeks. With a 2.24 goals-against-average and the NCAA’s best save percentage (.933), he’s again among the 10 nominated for the Hobey-Baker Trophy, which recognizes the most valuable player on the college circuit. in the USA.
Levi is also in the running for the Mike Richter Trophy, awarded to the league’s top goaltender. He had been the recipient in 2021-2022.
The former member of the Lac Saint-Louis Lions maintained a .964 save percentage during the 2021 World Junior Hockey Championship with Canada. He was voted the tournament’s most valuable goalkeeper, despite his team’s defeat in the final against the United States.
This contract was therefore the logical next step for a goalkeeper who has become a specialist in the field of thwarting it.
The former Florida Panthers seventh-round pick was acquired by the Sabers in July 2021 along with a 2021 first-round pick for Sam Reinhart. Said first-round pick was used to select forward Jiri Kulich.
