Cody Levesque

It is going to take quality shots to beat Cody Levesque in the Weyburn Red Wings’ goal and his high skill level is just one reason for making that assumption. The 18-year-old rookie is 6-foot-5 and weighs in at 209 pounds making the target area that much smaller for opposing shooters.

So far the imposing product from Carnduff, Sask., has stymied the opposition allowing just two goals in his two appearances with the Red Wings. His 21 saves on 23 shots gives him a 1.67 goals-against average and .913 save percentage early in his SJHL career.

A third-round pick of the Red Wings in the 2015 bantam draft, Levesque joined the club this year after two solid seasons with the Swift Current Legionnaires of the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League. Levesque appeared in 24 games with the Legionnaires last year posting a 2.51 GAA and .920 save percentage while as a 16-year-old he saw action in 27 contests and had a 3.03 GAA and .903 save percentage.

Levesque’s final year of bantam hockey, which saw him post a 2.95 GAA in 19 games with the Estevan Bruins, got him noticed not only by the Weyburn Red Wings, but the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League also added him to their player’s list when they picked him in the sixth round of that league’s annual draft of bantam talent.

Levesque appeared on his way to a solid Midget AAA career prior to making the jump to the junior level, but his first foray into the higher level didn’t go according to plan. Levesque appeared in three games with the Notre Dame Argos as a 15-year-old and after registering a 7.15 GAA and .787 save percentage he finished the year with the Midget AA Argos where he regained his confidence by posting a 2.69 GAA in 19 games.

That set the stage for his two years in Swift Current and ultimately his climb to Weyburn. The Red Wings will undoubtedly be patient with Levesque, but if his early performance is any indication then he will likely see more action going forward.