Levshunov goes to Chicago as number 2 in the 2024 NHL Draft.

East Lansing, Michigan –– Michigan State defender Artjom Levshunov (Zhlobin, Belarus) was selected second overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Levshunov is the highest-selected Spartan in the draft in 36 years – current Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour was selected No. 9 by the St. Louis Blues in 1988. In program history, only Joe Murphy was selected higher, No. 1 by the Detroit Red Wings in 1986. Craig Simpson is MSU’s only other No. 2 pick, in 1985 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“We are proud of Arty and how hard he has worked for this moment,” said Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale. “It’s a dream come true for a young hockey player to experience what he experienced tonight. We are incredibly grateful for what he has done for our program over the last year and look forward to watching his continued development.”

On Friday night at the Sphere – the draft’s venue – the organization had 2023 first-round pick and 2024 Calder Trophy winner Connor Bedard announce the Blackhawks’ selection of Levshunov. The top two picks in 2024 – Levshunov and No. 1 overall Macklin Celebrini (Boston University) – give college hockey the first two picks in the NHL Draft for the third time in history.

Levshunov is the 12th first-round pick in the program’s history and joins other first-round picks Isaac Howard (Tampa Bay Lightning, 31st overall, 2022) and Charlie Stramel (Minnesota Wild, 21st overall, 2023) on MSU’s current roster.

Levshunov, who doesn’t turn 19 until the end of October, had a standout season as a freshman in the Green & White, earning second-team All-America honors and being named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year, as well as earning a spot on the All-Big Ten First Team and All-Freshman Team.

He played in MSU’s best defense pair (with senior captain Nash Nienhuis) and was a Big Ten-best +27 (13th nationally). He was one of the most successful freshman defenders in program history, posting a scoring record of 9-26-35, two points shy of MSU’s freshman defender record (held by Jason Wooley and Pat Betterly), and ranked sixth in the Big Ten in assists and 11th in points.

Among defensemen in the country, Levshunov finished eighth in points (second among first-year defensemen) and 10th in goals and assists. A finalist for the Tim Taylor Rookie of the Year award, he finished 11th nationally among all rookies in scoring.


During draft week, Levshunov participated in the NHL Top Prospects and Learn to Play On-Ice Clinic, along with Player Inclusion Coalition member and Spartan All-American Anson Carter and first-round picks Celebrini (San Jose, No. 1), Cayden Lindstrom (Columbus, No. 4), Tij Iginla (Utah, No. 6) and Zayne Parekh (Calgary, No. 9).


The second day of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, featuring rounds 2 through 7, begins Saturday morning at 11:30 a.m. ET (8:30 a.m. PT) in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on ESPN.