On Tuesday, the Chicago Blackhawks announced the activation of defenseman Artyom Levshunov from injured reserve and assigned him to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. Levshunov sustained a right foot injury during the offseason that caused him to miss the Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase and all of training camp. His recovery timeline was estimated at four weeks, and he has reportedly progressed as expected.
The Blackhawks hold Levshunov in high regard, having selected him second overall in the 2024 NHL Draft. At just 18 years old, they believe he is ready for the professional level, which led them to sign him to an entry-level contract shortly after the draft in Las Vegas.
The 6-foot-2 defender is set to join a young core within the Chicago organization, which includes reigning Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard and promising young talents like Kevin Korchinski, as they build for the future.
Levshunov had a stellar freshman season at Michigan State in 2023-24, impressing many with his performance on both offense and defense. He tallied nine goals and 26 assists for a total of 35 points in 38 games, contributing to the Spartans’ victories in both the Big Ten Regular Season and Tournament championships. He was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award, named to the Big Ten’s All-Rookie and First All-Star Teams, and claimed the title of conference defenseman of the year, ultimately earning second-team All-American honors.
Additionally, Levshunov showcased his skills on the international stage, helping Belarus secure gold at the IIHF D1A World Junior Championship in 2022.
