Menu
WATCH: LEVI ADDRESSES THE MEDIA

LEVI BRINGING ‘INNOCENT MINDSET’ TO ROCHESTER

Nov 29, 2023

1.png By Andrew Mossbrooks | @Mossbrooks48

 

 

Devon Levi is an Amerk. Who had that on their bingo card?

 

The 21-year-old goaltender who made his pro debut facing the New York Rangers last March will now join Rochester on its trip to Belleville, where head coach Seth Appert confirmed he would make at least one start in the two-game swing with the Senators.

 

A high ceiling has been projected for Levi, whom many believe to be a Sabres goaltender for years to come in the team’s hopeful return to being a force in the NHL that contends for a Stanley Cup. For now, however, Levi must focus on the here and now, and that’s exactly what the rookie prospect plans to do.

 

 

 

“It’s a good situation,” said Levi following his first practice in Rochester on Wednesday. "This is a great opportunity to find some flow in my game. This gives me an opportunity to play and look back and reflect on what went well and what didn’t go as well and how I can be better for when I get the call, but as of right now my mind’s where my feet are and that’s Rochester.”

 

“It’s an exciting opportunity for him,” said Appert. “The NHL is hard with the ice time and practice time and all those things. The beauty of the American League is you have opportunity to work on your game and grow your game. You get to practice more at this level. He’s a rink rat. He loves being on the ice.”

 

Devon was one of the youngest goalies to start an NHL game this season. His youth reflects in the way he talks, but not in a bad way. You can hear and see the excitement on his face when talking about hockey. At heart, he’s just a kid who loves to play the game.

 

“Wherever I am, whether it’s here, Buffalo, or at school, it’s kind of the same innocent mindset: go out, have fun, stop the puck and win games.”

And the authenticity through which Levi said that is felt. It’s also reflected in his background. Devon spent his final year in junior hockey playing for the Carleton Place Canadians. He didn’t play major junior. He isn’t a USHL champion. He just wanted to go somewhere he could get in goal as often as possible.

 

“I never really tried chasing the highest level. It was more just playing games. I played in a tier two junior hockey league in the CCHL. I went there because I wanted to play and was offered the starting spot. I think that was way more beneficial for me then playing major junior as a backup. I took my time with my development and this kind of fits along those same lines.”

 

“His attitude is great,” said Appert. “Every time I’ve been around Devon, what you feel and know is that he loves playing the game. We talked last night. He’s excited to get down here and get to work with his teammates."

 

"I think it helps that a lot of his teammates in Buffalo had been through Rochester. A lot of guys have started here and paved their way and made their success as young pros in Rochester as they grew to be Buffalo Sabres."

 

Levi bet on himself in juniors and it paid off. He flew onto the radar of Kevyn Adams, the Buffalo Sabres new General Manager back in 2021, who traded for the seventh-round selection in July.

 

Between Carleton Place and Northeastern University, Levi spent no fewer than 32 games in net. He’s as decorated a goaltender as they come, winning a World Junior Championship representing Team Canada, while also being the best goaltender in all of college hockey over the last two seasons, winning the Mike Richter award each year and being a two-time Hobey Baker Finalist (top collegiate player).

 

He's used to the spotlight, and he’s always embraced the challenge. Being reassigned to Rochester isn’t viewed as a demotion to Devon.

 

“This is just a part of my journey,” said Levi. “I’ve had to work my way up everywhere. I’ve been through this before. It’s not a negative. You can’t have the ups without the downs and honestly, I don’t take this as a down."

 

"I take this as an opportunity to go back up; not go back up to the NHL, but bring my game up to another level.”

 

There is no timeline for how long Levi will be in an Amerks jersey, but all eyes will be on Rochester’s games in Belleville this weekend. Regardless of the length of time, the goaltending sensation has made his intentions clear with Rochester.

 

 

He’s here to win games and have fun.

 

Sounds like a good plan.

Back to All