Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov selected with No. 2 pick in 2024 NHL Draft

For the first time since 2004, Michigan State hockey has produced a 1st round NHL Draft pick, as star freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov was selected No. 2 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks. He’s just the second Spartan drafted out of college since the 2010 draft.

The 6-foot-2, 210 pound defender hailing from Belarus dominated competition in his lone season playing college hockey, using his combination of size, strength and skating ability to cover large swaths of ice. He’s also an adept two-way player, bringing an attacking streak to the game.

In 40 games with the Spartans, Levshunov had 35 points, including 26 assists.

Levshunov also helped lead the Spartans to a breakout season, the second for head coach and program alumni Adam Nightingale. Michigan State won the Big Ten tournament, defeating rival Michigan, in a game where Levshunov recorded a pair of assists. And that secured Michigan State a berth in the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2012.

Writing of Levshunov, ESPN’s Rachel Doerrie projected him to land in Chicago and described his abilities.

“If Chicago does take Levshunov,” Doerrie said. “the Blackhawks are getting a high-floor, high-ceiling defenseman who possesses all the tools required to be a transition ace and offensive driver. He kills opposing plays, is active in the play on both sides of the puck and chips in offensively. He skyrockets to the top of the Blackhawks’ prospect pool and almost surely has an inside track to a top-pairing role in the future.”

Connecticut’s governor would be open to the NHL returning

In the summer of 2023, Connecticut governor Ned Lamont expressed his desire to have the NHL ship the Arizona Coyotes — then eying a relocation — to Hartford, Connecticut, formerly home of the iconic Whalers franchise.

The Coyotes have since announced a move to Utah for the time being, but Lamont’s comments at the time would indicate Connecticut would be open for business for an NHL team so long as he is governor.

“This is a great hockey state and a great hockey town,” Lamont said, via the Associated Press. “It’s evidenced by the passion we have for the Whalers going back years — still one of the best selling jerseys. I think we can guarantee them a very strong market right here. And a government that’s ready to come and be their partner.”

Connecticut has been out of the NHL since the Whalers left for Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1997. The Whalers became the Carolina Hurricanes after the relocation. The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA remain the lone professional sports franchise in the state. The Sun play in a 10,000-seat venue not built for hockey.