David Levin is the latest player to join the Nottingham Panthers, inking a one-year contract with the Motorpoint Arena club.
The 23-year-old left-winger, who was selected first-overall in the 2015 Ontario Hockey League Draft, enjoyed a prolific major-junior career, notching 227 points (86 goals, 141 assists) in 259 appearances for the Sudbury Wolves.
Since entering the professional ranks, Levin has amassed experience in the Kontinental Hockey League, Swedish Allsvenskan, International Central European Hockey League, and Israel Elite Hockey League.
He produced offence at a point-per-game rate with the Bratislava Capitals last season and arrives in the Elite League at an important moment in the season for Nottingham.
“He’s got great vision and will make plays off the rush,” Panthers head coach Gary Graham said of his newest acquisition. “I think where we’ve struggled is not being dynamic enough in transition and he’ll help us. He plays physical: David is a great addition to our line-up.”
Subject to international clearance, Nevin will make his debut on Friday [30 September] on home ice versus the Dundee Stars.
Despite arriving in the East Midlands on a delayed flight early on Wednesday [28 September], he immediately set about making his new city home.
“It was a very long journey for me,” he said. “I slept for a bit, ate and was on the ice very quickly. I love hockey, it’s my dream so any time I can get on the ice, I will. I have heard some great things about the city. I’m looking forward to playing in this arena in-front of what I’ve heard are amazing supporters. Overall, I like to play hard. I’ve come here to win.”
Caitlin Berry, a top source on the OHL, called Levin a “feisty” forward with “ridiculous offensive awareness and solid playmaker,” but warned that his skating technique was a weak spot during his junior career.
After leading the Israeli top-flight with 38 points (17 goals, 21 assists) in 10 appearances last season, the left-shooter steps into the Elite League hoping to make an impact at a higher level for a team in need of a scoring bump.
However, there is bad news for fans of the Panthers on the blueline. Defenceman Mike Caruso is injured and will spend the next three weeks on the injury reserve list. He will be eligible to return to make his return on 22 October in the Challenge Cup versus the Sheffield Steelers.
