Who is Devon Levi? Meet the goalie from Northeastern about to make his Buffalo Sabres debut

Devon Levi is set to make his long-awaited NHL debut for the Buffalo Sabres on Friday against the New York Rangers. Levi, who is potentially the Sabres' goalie of the future, will be welcomed to the NHL by one of the toughest teams in the league in the form of the Rangers. However, a solid performance against such a tough opponent could go a long way toward securing an everyday role in the NHL.

"Top goalie prospect Devon Levi will make his NHL & Buffalo Sabres debut on Friday against the New York Rangers, per @KevinWeekes" - Gino Hard

The 21-year-old from Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Quebec, was given one net by himself during practice in order to maximize his reps in the build-up to his NHL debut. Many within the Buffalo organization are ecstatic about the potential of Devon Levi, calling him their most exciting goalie prospect since club legend Ryan Miller.

Levi signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Sabres on March 17 after Northeastern University was eliminated in the Hockey East quarterfinals with an overtime loss to Providence and did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

Now, fresh off elimination from the NCAA Tournament, the rookie is set to showcase his talent in front of the home crowd at KeyBank Center against the Rangers in Buffalo, New York. Levi's start was officially broken by NHL insider Kevin Weekes, who took to Twitter to announce Levi's debut.

"Today we say Happy Opening Day. Tomorrow we say Happy Opening Night. … to the NHL career of Devon Levi. Source confirms @KevinWeekes tweet that #Sabres will announce today in conjunction with practice that Levi is starting here Friday vs. #NYR" - Mike Harrington

A look at Devon Levi's college career

The former seventh-round pick of the Florida Panthers was acquired by the Buffalo Sabres in a 2021 trade for Sam Reinhart. Levi went on to put together one of the greatest careers ever for a college goalie at Northeastern, finishing his career with a .942 save percentage, the second-best mark by any goalie in college hockey history.

"Devon Levi isn't just catching the eye of Sabres brass. He also has the attention of the NHL's leader in wins last season between the pipes. 'He’s really impressed me. ... I have high expectations,' Juuse Saros says. @MatthewFairburn" - The Athletic NHL

Levi is a good bet to win the Mike Richter Award as the best goaltender in college for the second straight year and is one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker Award as the best overall player in the game. He will compete against several other top prospects for the Hobey Baker Award, including Adam Fantilli.