(Buffalo) The doors of the Sabers locker room open this Friday at noon, at the end of a short training session. Colleagues rush to Eric Robinson, the newcomer acquired from Columbus two days earlier. Which allows La Presse to approach Quebecer Devon Levi one on one.
We arrive with an interesting piece of information. A few minutes before the doors opened, 600 km from here, Martin St-Louis confirmed that Cayden Primeau would defend the Canadian’s net in Buffalo.
“I never played with Cayden, but I had the chance to talk to him. He gave me advice my first year in college, says Levi, speaking in French while waiting for colleagues from Buffalo to approach his locker. He’s a very good guy. I can’t wait to see him and Jordan Harris. And will Jayden Struble be there? » He was then informed of Harris’ injury, and of Struble’s presence during the last eight games.
The connection between Levi and all these beautiful people? Northeastern University. Primeau (2017-2019), Harris (2018-2022), Struble (2019-2023) and Levi (2021-2023) all come from this Boston institution.
The attentive reader will have noted that Primeau and Levi missed each other by two years. But college hockey programs being big fraternities, the two masked men formed a bond. What advice did Primeau offer him?
“He told me that college was one of the best times of his life and to have fun,” the Dollardian replied. He also spoke to me before the World Juniors and he gave me the same advice. He was like a mentor to me when I was at Northeastern. He was so good, I wanted to accomplish the same things as him there. »
Levi has nothing to be ashamed of. Primeau won the Mike Richter Trophy (NCAA Goalie of the Year) in 2019; Levi won it twice rather than once, in 2022 and 2023.
The two goalkeepers could now face each other for the first time this Saturday. On Thursday, Levi helped the Sabers defeat the mighty Bruins 3-1, in Boston no less. This is a great opportunity to reward him with a second start in a row, against the team of his childhood. Don Granato, however, did not want to confirm that Levi would be his starting goalkeeper.
“He has a good chance,” said the Sabers head coach. He has a 50% chance! »
For Levi, this victory in Boston came at just the right time.
After an encouraging entry into the NHL towards the end of last season (5-2-0, efficiency of .905), the Quebecer experienced setbacks at the start of the calendar. As of November 28, he was 3-4-1 with a 3.73 GAA and .876 ERA, earning him a dismissal to Rochester of the American League, the first demotion of his young professional career. .
Levi, however, accepted everything philosophically. “The ups and downs will only help you get better. I could have let it get me down, but I approached it as an opportunity to learn and grow. If you adopt this mentality in life with obstacles, you will grow instead of plateauing,” the goalkeeper pleaded.
His exemplary attitude served him well on the ice, where he stopped 40 shots in a 3-2 victory in his first AHL start. After the match, he was topped with an eagle’s head, a powerful symbolic object, the hockey equivalent of the holy chrism during the coronation of a king.
“That attitude helped me play well. I got into a rhythm, I played two matches, in addition to the one [on Thursday]. And I’m preparing for [Saturday], even if I don’t know who will play. It helped me to play two matches. » The absence of goalkeeper Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was ill, then forced his recall.
This episode demonstrates that, for Levi as for Primeau, a rich university career guarantees nothing in the pros, particularly in the goalkeeper position, where development comes later.
“I don’t know if there is such a thing as a smooth transition to the professional circuits,” Don Granato wondered, “because when they arrive here, these guys are years away from their potential. The path to excellence involves many ups and downs, challenges and difficulties. Devon already experienced it at the start of the season and he responded very well. He is going in the right direction and we are hopeful because of his dedication. »
Speaking of obstacles… Sportsnet colleague Jeff Marek dropped an intriguing piece of information this week. The NHL actually asked Levi to modify his meditation sessions during games.
Pardon ?
Levi would in fact indulge in short meditation sessions during the commercial breaks of his matches, generally in front of the net or in the crease.
“I started during the pandemic. I couldn’t go on the ice, so I had to find other ways to improve, he says. My play on the ice was my strength, but I had to mature, become mentally stronger. At 18, it can make a big difference. Many 18 year old goalies can stop the puck, but it’s what’s going on in your head that makes the difference. At this level, several guys are good on the ice and mentally. »
Levi therefore adopted this routine, which he did until recently. “The goal is to let my thoughts go, not to chase after them. It’s about being in the moment, not thinking about the future or the past, making the effort to be in the present. »
His routine wasn’t a problem at university, where rink attendants only did basic snow removal. But in the NHL, eight of them cross the length of the ice rink to shovel excess snow. Said flatly, the NHL judged that Levi was in the legs.
Our man will therefore have to find a solution. Judging by his attitude towards obstacles, it shouldn’t be a problem.