How a street hockey kid shattered world junior records while playing with broken ribs
In short: Devon Levi’s rise from playing on concrete to NHL stardom is defined by extraordinary precision. Whether setting all-time tournament records or managing intense mental resets during timeouts, the Canadian goaltender has consistently defied expectations through elite reading of the game and remarkable technical speed.
Born in December 2001 in the Montreal suburb of Dollard-des-Ormeaux, Devon Levi’s journey began on concrete streets. Before entering professional ranks, he played street hockey with his father, Laurent Levi, until age 11. This early foundation transitioned into a decorated junior career, marked by a dominant 2019–20 season where he swept MVP honors across both the CJHL and CCHL leagues.
Levi’s most significant breakthrough occurred during the 2021 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. Despite playing the entire tournament with a fractured rib sustained against Germany, he recorded a .964 save percentage. This performance surpassed the previous all-time tournament record set by Carey Price in 2007. His ability to track the puck through heavy traffic and his technical speed earned him the tournament's Best Goaltender award.
His collegiate years at Northeastern University further cemented his reputation. He became the first player to win the Mike Richter Award for top college goaltender in consecutive seasons (2021–22 and 2022–23). During his final college season, he led the nation in save percentage and secured the Eberly award after stopping 63 of 66 shots in the Beanpot tournament.
Now a professional in the NHL, Levi has navigated the complexities of roster management and injuries, moving from the Buffalo Sabres to the Edmonton Oilers in 2026. A distinctive psychological method characterizes his career; throughout each timeout, he kneels 15 feet from the net, employing breathing exercises to regain concentration.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Devon Levi
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