How Levi spent the 14 days alone in his resort room is a window into his persona. 

He says yoga, hand-eye co-ordination drills, visualization, video evaluation and college homework greater than stuffed the time between in-room exercises and workforce video conferences.

“I truthfully packed my day to the purpose the place I couldn’t get every part finished,” Levi stated.

That fixed funding in himself helped elevate Levi to Canada’s starter, says his Carleton Place Canadians coach Jason Clarke.

“The one method I can describe Devon Levi is like he’s married, 35 years previous and has two children, besides he’s solely 19,” Clarke informed The Canadian Press on Monday. 

“He’s only a very centered, mature particular person who simply desires to get higher daily. 

“He’s an undersized goaltender no one knew about,” Clarke continued. “For those who don’t have the inner fortitude, the self-discipline, the main focus, investing time in your self slightly than spending time then I simply don’t assume you’re going to have the ability to get to the subsequent stage.”

Canada (2-0) faces Switzerland (0-2) on Tuesday in Pool A. All 10 collaborating groups are walled off from most people and enjoying video games in an empty Rogers Place due to the pandemic.

The six-foot 189-pound Levi was chosen within the seventh spherical (212th general) by the Florida Panthers in October’s NHL entry draft.

He grew up idolizing Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Worth, who backstopped Canada to world junior gold in 2007.

Levi’s mentor since his draft day is one other Canadian goaltending star, nevertheless.

He’s conversed with just lately retired NHL veteran Roberto Luongo, who works in Florida’s goaltending division.

Levi was born two years after Luongo backstopped Canada to a silver medal on the 1999 world junior event in Winnipeg. 

Luongo went on to win 489 of his 1,044 profession NHL video games and win an Olympic gold medal with Canada in 2010.

“He’s talked to me a number of instances,” Levi stated. “The largest message he informed me that basically caught out to me was ‘benefit from the second. There may be a number of strain, however you solely get to dwell that strain as soon as and strain is privilege.’ He stated he seems to be again on his experiences on the world juniors to at the present time and loved it like loopy. 

“Speaking to him is a large honour, particularly after every part he’s finished within the NHL. It’s unbelievable to have the ability to speak to a man like that and to get his enter.”

In his one season of Junior A hockey, Levi was named the Canadian Junior Hockey League’s Most worthy participant. 

He led Canada East to a silver medal and was named event MVP of the 2019 World Junior A Problem in Dawson Creek, B.C.

However goaltenders from the Western, Ontario and Quebec main junior leagues predominantly get chosen to play for Canada.

Levi joins faculty goalies Colton Level (2018), who’s one other Carleton Place Canadians product, and David LeNeveu (2003) as outliers over the past 4 a long time.

Levi has but to play a sport for Northeastern as a result of the pandemic delayed Hockey East’s collegiate season.

He was on Hockey Canada’s radar for summer time camp, however wasn’t invited.

“It’s a tricky analysis watching a Junior A sport and projecting what guys can do in the very best junior event on the earth,” Canadian head coach Andre Tourigny stated.

“We had the mindset that we’d have time when the season begins to see him play and go from there, and if we need to invite him at Christmas we are able to accomplish that. 

“However when the season obtained cancelled, now we have been extra within the mindset that if we actually need to know what he can do, we have to invite him.”

Levi and different U.S. faculty gamers summoned to choice camp quarantined for 14 days upon return to  Canada, after which went proper again into isolation mid-camp due to the optimistic checks for the virus.

Levi stood out sufficient in what practices and intrasquad video games there have been — he posted a 36-save shutout the day earlier than Canada’s roster was introduced — to get the pre-tournament begin in opposition to Russia.

He didn’t face a barrage of rubber in event wins over Germany and Slovakia. Levi maintained his focus over quiet stretches in video games to make athletic saves when wanted.

He’s given up one even-strength objective on 27 photographs.

“Up to now, he didn’t do something to place a doubt in our heads that’s for certain,” Tourigny stated.

Canadian winger Dylan Holloway will play Tuesday after sitting out Sunday’s 3-1 win over Slovakia with an upper-body damage. 

Defenceman Braden Schneider returns to Canada’s lineup after serving a one-game suspension for checking a German ahead within the head.

This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Dec. 28, 2020.

Donna Spencer, The Canadian Press