Small netminder bulks up to the Ivy League

Devin Buffalo is no longer a goaltender that nobody wants.
In fact, the 20-year-old, from the Samson Cree Nation in Hobbema, Alta., is a star junior puckstopper. And he’s got a rather bright future as well.

Next year Buffalo will head to a prestigious Ivy League school—New Hampshire’s Dartmouth College—to continue his hockey and academic careers. And he’s hoping to play at the professional level once his collegiate days are complete.

“The dream (of playing pro) is actually reachable now,” said Buffalo, who is in his third season with the Flin Flon Bombers, members of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL). Though there is also a Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the Bombers do not compete in the league in their own province as they are located mere minutes from the Saskatchewan border.

The fact Buffalo’s even made it to the junior ranks comes as a surprise to many. Buffalo couldn’t crack a team at the highest minor hockey level (AAA) until his third and final midget season.
”I was a small kid,” said Buffalo, adding he was about 5-foot-2 and perhaps 130 pounds when he started playing midget hockey in the AA ranks, but now packs about 200 pounds onto his 6-foot-1 frame.

During his final season of midget eligibility Buffalo made the grade with the Leduc Oil Kings’ AAA side. And he was impressive during a tournament in Calgary that season.

Bombers’ head coach Mike Reagan was among those who took note of Buffalo’s play. He shone in the two games Reagan attended.

“He was spectacular,” said Reagan, who is also the Bombers’ general manager. (Buffalo’s team) “got outplayed 90 per cent of the time. He faced 105 shots in two games and he only let in three goals.”

Buffalo  also had tryouts with junior clubs in Port Alberni, B.C. and in St. Albert, Alta., but he felt the Bombers were the best fit for him.

“I really liked the coach,” Buffalo said. “And he really wanted me to play for them. So I thought that was the best choice for me.”
Buffalo had an immediate impact with the Bombers during his rookie season in 2011-12. He posted a winning record of 18-14-5 and had a 3.37 goals-against average.

For his efforts, he was named as the league’s rookie of the year.
Buffalo improved upon his stats last season, registering a 23-14-0 mark and a 2.42 GAA. And he’s also off to a solid start this year; after his first seven contests he had a 2.16 GAA and a 4-3-0 record.

Buffalo also recorded three shutouts during his sophomore season. And he’s added another one so far this season, blanking the visiting Melfort Mustangs 2-0 on Sept. 21.

Buffalo, who during the off-season lives in Wetaskiwin, Alta., will fulfill one of his dreams when he heads to Dartmouth next year.
“I’ve always wanted to go to an Ivy League school, even without the hockey,” he said.

But he’s not certain what he will major in at the American school.
“I’m not too sure yet,” he said. “I’m planning to play pro after (my university career). What I would like to do is get a science degree. But I might get a business degree. The first couple of years it’s just general classes I’ll be taking.”

Though Ivy League schools are not allowed to offer athletic scholarships, students are allowed to receive financial aid. Buffalo said the majority of his Darthmouth expenses will be covered by the school.

When he arrives at university Buffalo will be one of three goaltenders on the Dartmouth roster.  The Big Green traditionally carry three puckstoppers. The two other netminders on the roster next season will both be in the junior (third) year with the Dartmouth squad.

“I’m okay with that,” Buffalo said. “I’m just excited about the development opportunity.”

Buffalo graduated from Wetaskiwin Composite High School in 2011. He’s not the least bit concerned he hasn’t been in a classroom for awhile before venturing off to Dartmouth.

“I’ve got good studying habits,” he said. “And I like school. I feel I’ll be able to move right into it.”

Reagan is not surprised Buffalo has blossomed into a star junior netminder for his squad.

“We had high expectations for him,” he said. “We always hoped he’d be the goaltender he is.”

Since a handful of other former Bombers’ goalies have gone on to shine in the NCAA Division 1 ranks the past few seasons, Reagan is also confident that Buffalo will excel at the collegiate level. And even beyond that.

“I think he’s very capable of becoming a pro and making a living at it,” he said. “I’m not sure if that will be in the American Hockey League, NHL or in Europe.”