Devon Levi and Carey Price Show the Best Side of Hockey
Sometimes the best hockey stories aren't about wins, losses, or contracts. Sometimes they're just about people.
One of my favourite recent stories this offseason came from new Edmonton Oilers goaltender Devon Levi. He talked about growing up in Montreal, watching Carey Price, and dreaming about becoming a goalie himself. That's pretty normal.
A lot of young goalies wanted to be Carey Price. What happened next is the part I liked.
Levi’s girlfriend introduced Price to Levi.
Levi's girlfriend happened to run into Price at an event and introduced the two over FaceTime. They happened to be sitting beside each other at a Toronto Raptors exhibition game in Montreal's Bell Centre. It was a quick conversation. Just one goalie talking to another.
That could have been the end of the story. Instead, a few months later, Price reached out again. He sent Levi a thoughtful message with advice about enjoying the process and appreciating every day in the NHL. It wasn't about glove saves or post integration. It wasn't a technical coaching lesson.
It was life advice from someone who had already lived the dream. I think that's one of the things hockey gets right.
Related: Ekholm and Bouchard Might Be the Oilers' Championship Difference
One of the great things about the NHL is that game-time rivals often become friends.
Players compete hard for 60 minutes, but there's also a quiet respect between generations. Veterans know how hard it is to get to the NHL. They also know how quickly a career can pass by.
Price even told Levi he wished he could be starting all over again. That's a powerful thing for a future Hall of Fame goaltender to say.
For Oilers fans, there's another reason to appreciate the story.
Levi arrives in Edmonton carrying plenty of expectations. Every young goalie does. Fans want results right away, but goaltending rarely develops in a straight line. There will be great nights, difficult nights, confidence swings, and lessons that only experience can teach.
Having someone like Carey Price remind you to enjoy the journey probably matters more than most people realize. Maybe that's how hockey keeps getting better. One generation passes along more than technique. It passes along perspective.
If Levi becomes the Oilers' goalie of the future, expect Price to reach out again.
Years from now, if Devon Levi becomes the goalie the Oilers hope he can be, don't be surprised if he's the veteran sending a thoughtful message to the next young goalie trying to find his way.
That's how the hockey community works. And honestly, that's one of the best parts of the game.