BUFFALO, N.Y. — On Monday, Devon Levi took in his first NHL practice as an official member of the Buffalo Sabres from the bench, alongside Mattias Samuelsson (upper body injury) as teammates up and down the roster came to say hello to their newest goaltender.

What You Need To Know

  • Levi signed his three-year entry level deal on March 17
  • Levi will wear #27 in Buffalo
  • He cannot practice with the team until his immigration paperwork is cleared

"A great guy, super social, shouldn't have a problem at all [fitting in]," Jack Quinn said of his former Team Canada teammate's assimilation into the blue and gold locker room. It's somewhat familiar territory for the 21-year-old.

"I got so comfortable being here for development camp, you know, just knowing the facilities, knowing the guys, the staff, and it was such a great experience," Levi said on Monday. "I know that that week was an amazing week and I was sad to leave. Honestly, I had a great time. So it just I'm so glad to be back, and it feels like home."

Levi will wear #27 for his NHL debut.

"Growing up, it was my favorite number. I feel like little me would be happy that I chose this number, just dream about playing in the NHL," Levi said with an uncontainable smile. "It's the day of my birthday. It's my dad's birthday. Also, my house address was 127. So number 27 was just big in my life when I was a kid. So I thought I'd bring it back."

There are still quite a few steps that need to be taken before Levi starts in net for the Sabres, including but not limited to clearing immigration papers, taking a few practices and having his equipment certified by the league. Looking at the calendar ahead, it could seem fateful that his hometown Montreal Canadiens are visiting Buffalo for a matchup on March 27. Levi noted that a potential debut in that fashion would be "cool," but is relying on the staff around him to make those sort of scheduling decisions while he focuses on his continued development.

"I feel like in this month or so that I’m here I can get a year’s worth of development out of,” Levi said.

While it does burn a year of his three-year entry level deal, everyone involved in the process of bringing Devon Levi to Buffalo wanted him to spend the remainder of the season in Buffalo. That gives him 13 NHL games to be around this team and the opportunity to soak up as much knowledge as possible from 41-year-old veteran goaltender Craig Anderson.

"There's a reason that he's 41 and still in the game having a lot of success," Levi said. "I made my decision to come here because, you know, this could be his last year and to be able to be goalie partners with him and be around the rink with him, it's something that I value and that I could get a lot out of. And he's been great. He's been taking me under his wing a little. And it's just been great to ask him questions and kind of learn the way that he thinks the game, because he's such a good goalie, so smart, so good at reading the play."

Levi first met Anderson last year when the Sabres played in Boston and he was playing in his first NCAA campaign.

"Craig gives back to everybody. He loves the position and the hindsight he has, career hindsight now, and he likes to share it," head coach Don Granato said. "So I think that'll be a real plus that there's some overlap."

Anderson has already wielded many questions from the inquisitive youngster.

“Everybody’s path is different. His is a certain, unique path the way that mine was unique. The way that everyone in this room’s path is a little bit different," Anderson said. "You make the most of your situation and you figure out how to be the best of where you’re at. He’s coming in, and he was arguably the best college goaltender the last two years, and now he’s got a new mountain to climb. There’s no satisfaction. There’s no endgame here. The endgame is to continue to get better and that starts with all of us pushing him and being here to help him and guide him.”

As Levi in turn faced dozens of questions from reporters about his arrival, homework, height and more, he remained locked in on his purpose and excitement for this new chapter, the very start of his professional career.

“I feel like I was born to do this and it's my passion,” Levi said. “I go out every day with the will to stop the guy that's coming down on me. It's the most fun thing in the world for me. I'm still growing, still getting better, still finding better ways to play and improve my game and I'm just really excited to be facing the best of the best. I know it's going to push my game further and I'm excited for that.”