Sabres’ Levi Named NCAA’s Best Goalie
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The collegiate awards continue to pour in for the newest member of the Buffalo Sabres, rookie goaltender Devon Levi.
It was announced on Friday evening by the Hockey Coaches Association that Levi had been named the winner of the 2023 Mike Richter Award which is given to the goaltender voted most outstanding in Division I NCAA men's hockey. In winning, Levi becomes the first multiple winner since the award's inception in 2014 after having won the award last season.
Levi posted an impressive statline in his final season at Northeastern with a .933 save percentage, 2.24 goals against average and a 17-12-5 record with six shutouts. Levi highlighted this season with an impressive performance at the 2023 Beanpot tournament with a .956 save percentage en route to the title and Tournament MVP honors.
Since being acquired by the Sabres in July of 2021 in a trade that sent Sam Reinhart to the Florida Panthers, Levi has quickly become a fan favorite prospect, drawing many comparisons to Ryan Miller due to his dominance at the collegiate level.
The 21-year old French Canadian netminder has already injected some excitement inbetween the pipes since turning pro, opening with a 31 save performance in a 3-2 overtime victory against the New York Rangers.
Making up for his stature as a 6-foot goaltender, Levi's athleticism and brain has been on full display his three games backstopping the Sabres.
Levi received a "welcome to the NHL" from the Detroit Red Wings in Thursday's game, allowing six goals, but was bailed out by his teammates in the 7-6 shootout victory.
Buffalo is back in action today with the fate of the playoffs going through Carolina and help needed against the Panthers, Islanders and Penguins.
From the looks of practice, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely to get the start in net against the Hurricanes tonight, but with the Sabres season winding down figure Levi to be in the mix now and for the foreseeable future.