Sabre Noise
Fansided

Buffalo Sabres: Levi may be one of NCAA’s most decorated goaltenders

BySion Fawkes|
LOWELL, MA - MARCH 3: Devon Levi #1 of the Northeastern Huskies tends goal against the UMass Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men's hockey at the Tsongas Center on March 3, 2023 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The River Hawks won 3-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)
LOWELL, MA - MARCH 3: Devon Levi #1 of the Northeastern Huskies tends goal against the UMass Lowell River Hawks during NCAA men's hockey at the Tsongas Center on March 3, 2023 in Lowell, Massachusetts. The River Hawks won 3-1. (Photo by Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images)

The Devon Levi Watch has been up and running for Buffalo Sabres fans since Northeastern lost last Saturday night to Providence. 

It’s no secret that Buffalo Sabres prospect Devon Levi was once again arguably the best goaltender and player in college hockey this season. Levi, who could sign with the Sabres sooner than later, won a plethora awards following the 2021-22 season when he posted a legendary 0.952 save percentage and a 1.54 GAA.

Last year, he was the Hockey East Goaltending Champion, a member of the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, All-Hockey East First Team, the AHCA East First Team All-American, and winner of the Mike Richter Award. This past season, Levi also won the MVP and Eberty Awards for his efforts in the Beanpot Tournament. And what you see above is just a small sample size.

Buffalo Sabres could have one of the most decorated goalies in NCAA hockey

Levi is again a finalist for the Mike Richter Award, and if he wins it, he will become the first player to receive the honor in back-to-back seasons. Notable NHL goaltenders who won the award include Thatcher Demko, Connor Hellebuyck, and Jeremy Swayman.

And Levi also finds himself as a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. If he wins the award, Levi will be recognized as the best player in Division I Men’s Ice Hockey.

Levi has already been named Hockey East’s Player of the Year, as the tweet below confirms. Having won the award, Levi can place his name next to players like Spencer Knight, Jeremy Swayman, Cale Makar, and ahem, Jack Eichel.

Other awards for Levi throughout his college career include Hockey East Rookie of the Year, Hockey East Three Stars Award, and Hockey East Goaltending Champion. Overall, you can safely say that Levi’s collegiate career has been nothing short of legendary.

If he signs with the Buffalo Sabres in the coming days, rest assured that, although the team’s goaltending has looked spotty more often than we would have liked in 2022-23, that help is on the way. Levi won’t be in a blue and gold uniform next season, but he will likely enjoy more than a fair amount of success as a member of the Rochester Americans. But he will in the crease at KeyBank Arena before we all know it, perhaps as soon as 2024-25.

Source: Observations: Sabres’ playoff chances take another hit with shootout loss to Capitals by Lance Lysowski, BuffaloNews.com. 

Home/Sabres News