Buffalo Sabers sign goaltender Devon Levi to entry-level contract
The Buffalo Sabers have signed top goalie prospect Devon Levi to a three-year entry-level contract, the club announced Friday afternoon.
Levi, 21, wrapped up a stellar NCAA career with the Northeastern Huskies last weekend. Le Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Que. The Product posted a 38–22–6 record with a .942 save percentage in 66 games over two seasons at Northeastern.
After leading the NCAA in save percentage and being named a Hobey Baker Award finalist in consecutive seasons, Levi could make his highly anticipated pro debut with the Sabers this spring.
The Florida Panthers originally selected Levi in the seventh round (212th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft. The six-foot goaltender dominated with Team Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championship, posting a 6-1-0 record and .964 save percentage in seven games.
The following summer, the Panthers traded Levi and a 2022 first-round pick (Jiri Kulich) to the Sabers in exchange for forward Sam Reinhart. Levi then made his collegiate debut at Northeastern in the 2021-22 season, eventually posting a jaw-dropping .952 save percentage in 32 games.
Levi followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign, going 17–12–5 with a .933 as Northeastern fell to Providence College in the Hockey East quarterfinals.
The Sabers have been on the cusp of the Eastern Conference playoff table all season, but have struggled to find a consistent goaltender. Craig Anderson was their best option, but his shirt number (41) matches his age and he only appeared in 23 games.
With Levi now locked, the Sabers will be back in action at 7:00 p.m. ET Friday night to take on the Philadelphia Flyers at the Wells Fargo Center.
