Chicago Blackhawks select Artyom Levshunov with No. 2 pick in NHL draft; highest Michigan State draft choice in 38 years
Michigan State hockey defenseman Artyom Levshunov became the Spartans’ 130th all-time NHL draft pick on Friday night when the Chicago Blackhawks selected him with the No. 2 pick in the first round of the NHL entry draft. Levshunov, a freshman, was a unanimous top five prospect in this year’s draft class.
With his selection, Levshunov became Michigan State’s 11th first-round pick in program history. He also became just the third Spartan to be selected in the top five of the NHL draft, joining Craig Simpson (No. 2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins in 1985) and Joe Murphy (No. 1 to the Detroit Red Wings in 1986).
Levshunov was selected just behind Boston University center Macklin Celebrini, who was widely considered the prospect in this year’s draft. After Celebrini, many considered Levshunov is the next-best prospect available in this year’s draft class, especially after his impressive showing at the NHL combine earlier this month. Levshunov’s combine performance helped his stock rise from a top 10 prospect to a top three prospect in the 2024 class.
Levshunov had a standout freshman season for the Spartans. He was a key defensive piece for Michigan State, which enjoyed its best season in nearly two decades. The Spartans finished the season 25-10-3 overall and 16-6-2 in conference play. They won the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships, as well as their first-round NCAA tournament game against Western Michigan.
Levshunov contributed nine goals and 26 assists for 35 points this past season. He was as reliable as they came, skating in all 38 of the Spartans’ games.
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Levshunov took home Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year honors following the season. He also received First Team All-Big Ten and First Team All-Freshman honors, as well as Second Team ACHA All-American honors.
The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Levshunov could still return to Michigan State next season, despite the fact that he heard his name called early in the draft. The Blackhawks will hold onto Levshunov’s draft rights until 2027, when Levshunov turns 21. Levshunov has until that point to either join the organization or sign as a free agent with another team.
Aside from Levshunov, Michigan State has three additional draft-eligible players who could hear their names called over the weekend. Forwards Gavin O’Connell and Tommi Mannisto, along with defenseman Patrick Geary and four future Spartan commitments, are all eligible as well.
The Spartans featured six drafted players on their roster last season. Goalie Trey Augustine (No. 41 to the Red Wings) and defensemen Maxim Strbak (No. 45 to the Buffalo Sabres) were both second-round selections in last year’s draft. The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Spartan forward Isaac Howard in the first round (No. 31) of the 2022 draft, while defensemen David Gucciardi went in the seventh round (No. 213) to the Washington Capitals that year. The 2021 draft saw forward Red Savage go in the fourth round (No. 114) to the Detroit Red Wings and defenseman Viktor Hurtig go in the sixth round (No. 164) to the New Jersey Devils.
