The Chicago Blackhawks selected Artyom Levshunov second overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. The former Michigan State defenseman projects to be a top-pair guy when he reaches his peak.
Levshunov left college to sign his rookie deal. It was obvious that he was ready to turn pro by the end of last year’s NCAA season.
Unfortunately, Levshunov injured himself getting ready for the upcoming season. He didn’t participate in camp and missed the start of the 2024-25 campaign.
On Saturday afternoon, Levshunov finally made his pro debut with the Rockford IceHogs. This was the next step in his development as he looked to grow his game in the AHL. Chicago is taking their time with a lot of their prospects.
It is smart to have Levshunov down there to learn and grow with some of the other top prospects that the Blackhawks have gathered. The goal is for them all to come up together and form a winning culture at the NHL level.
In Levshunov’s first game, he collected an assist in Rockford’s 5-3 victory over the Manitoba Moose. The assist came on a goal scored by Cavan Fitzgerald in the second period. It was a great game for the Hogs and Levshunov made an impact right away.
In addition to the point, Levshunov played well in other areas. A ton of small plays led to offensive breakouts for his team. He has the tools to be an impact pro. It won’t be long before he’s a full-time NHL player.
Levshunov getting his first pro point in his first pro game is good for his growth as a player. He won’t worry about getting on the score sheet for the first time.
That’s done. While in Rockford, his only concern is playing right to help his team win. That means showing up in all three zones. The young defenseman is off to a good start.
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