Buffalo goalie Devon Levi tries to stop Boston’s Jayson Megna on Tuesday. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu

Sabres goalie Devon Levi looks sharp in preseason debut

BUFFALO – While the Sabres have three goalies battling for two spots, Devon Levi, having started seven critical late-season games last year, likely secured his place and the No. 1 job months ago.

In his first preseason start Tuesday, Levi, 21, only strengthened the belief he will be the opening night starter, stopping all 19 shots he faced in 40 minutes of action.

Goalie Devin Cooley, a free agent ticketed for the AHL, relieved Levi ... Read the full article

Jiri Kulich spent all of last season in Rochester. ©2023, Micheline Veluvolu, Rochester Americans

Sabres’ 2023 Prospects Challenge roster features five first-round picks

Five first-round picks, including forwards Jiri Kulich and Matt Savoie, are among the 25 youngsters listed on the Buffalo Sabres’ roster for the upcoming Prospects Challenge rookie tournament.

Kulich and Savoie, two of the Sabres’ three first-round selections in 2022, are expected to compete for NHL spots during training camp.

The roster, released Tuesday, also features three other first-round picks: wingers Zach Benson and Isak Rosen and defenseman Ryan Johnson.... Read the full article

Trevor Kuntar has already scored four goals in six games for Boston College. ©2020, John Quackenbos

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar thriving as freshman at Boston College

Les and Faye Kuntar wanted to support their oldest son, Trevor, and hopefully celebrate his selection by an NHL team.

A year earlier, Trevor Kuntar had gone undrafted. The snubs fueled him, and the extra year helped the Williamsville native to develop into a stronger prospect. So when the second day of the NHL Draft started Oct. 7, the Boston College freshman was expected to be a mid- or late-round pick.

His parents drove seven ... Read the full article

Trevor Kuntar played three seasons in Youngstown. ©2020, Scott Galvin, Youngstown Phantoms

Bruins draft Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar 89th overall

When 31 teams passed over Trevor Kuntar in the NHL Draft last year, he said he never stopped thinking about it. The snubs fueled the Williamsville native.

Kuntar, 19, tried to seize the opportunity having an extra year to develop into a better prospect offered him.

“I’m kind of glad that it happened like that, too, because I feel like I’m in a pretty good spot,” Kuntar told the Times Herald last week.

This afternoon, ... Read the full article

Trevor Kuntar enjoyed a strong season in Youngstown. ©2020, Scott Galvin, Youngstown Phantoms

Williamsville’s Trevor Kuntar motivated by snubs, happy at Boston College

Trevor Kuntar couldn’t stay put in the crease. Never mind his father, Les, played goalie professionally for six seasons. Never mind everyone on the team had to take a turn in net.

In his lone appearance as a goalie, Kuntar’s penchant for carrying the puck took over. Even dressed in the heavy equipment, the Williamsville native kept grabbing it and skating up the ice.

“I just wouldn’t stay in my net, so that was the ... Read the full article