The final of the top-three choices of the 2024 NHL Draft has signed his entry-level contract because the Chicago Blackhawks introduced they’ve signed the second general choose, Artyom Levshunov. Levshunov foregoes his sophomore season at Michigan State College to compete for a spot on the Blackhawks’ opening evening roster out of coaching camp.
Instantly changing into the very best defensive prospect within the group below contract with this transfer, the Blackhawks will handle Levshunov’s improvement for the remainder of the best way. Chicago’s common supervisor, Kyle Davidson, praised Levshunov after the signing, “Signing Artyom provides us the chance to proceed his improvement in-house and take the following step into skilled hockey. He’s a robust two-way defenseman that has all of the instruments to be a high-end participant within the NHL and we’re excited to proceed his progress on the professional degree“.
Levshunov joined the Spartans after spending one season with the Inexperienced Bay Gamblers of the USHL the place he recorded 13 objectives and 42 factors in 62 video games. The younger Belarusian defenseman grew his sport extensively upon reaching the NCAA ranks by scoring 9 objectives and 35 factors in 38 video games whereas incomes a +27 score. On the finish of the 2023-24 NCAA season, Levshunov made the All-Huge Ten First Staff and All-Huge Ten Freshman Staff along with being named the Huge Ten Defensive Participant of the Yr and Huge Ten Freshman of the Yr.
The Spartans additionally recorded certainly one of their finest seasons in latest historical past on the backs of Levshunov. Michigan State completed first within the Convention for the primary time for the reason that 2000-01 season and beat their rival College of Michigan within the Convention Championship. Sadly for Levshunov and the Spartans, the crew would have their season ended within the Regional Closing of the 2024 Frozen 4 in an act of retribution from the Wolverines.
The Blackhawks group might do nicely to start out Levshunov within the American Hockey League with their affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. Levshunov ought to get loads of ice time down within the AHL and may construct up confidence in his sport on the skilled degree earlier than becoming a member of the crew in Chicago when they’re able to take the following step of their rebuild.
