Michigan State’s Artyom Levshunov could be selected No. 2 in the NHL Draft
Artyom Levshunov is preparing to become one of the highest drafted players in Michigan State hockey history on Friday night.
Levshunov, an 18-year-old defenseman from Belarus, is expected to be a top-five pick in the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Levshunov is fresh off his freshman season, where he averaged nearly a point per game for the Spartans, scored nine goals and collected 26 assists in 38 games while leading the Big Ten with a plus-27. He was named the Big Ten Newcomer of the Year, Defenseman of the Year and First Team All-Big Ten.
Levshunov is in Las Vegas waiting to hear how soon his name will be called on Friday.
“It’s a different world here (in Vegas), lots of casinos, but it’s cool and fun to be here,” Levshunov said by phone on Wednesday. “I can’t wait for the draft. There was a lot of interest at the combine and I had a lot of good conversations with teams. It feels more real now to be here, but this will be a special moment in my life and I’m looking forward to it.”
Macklin Celebrini, a star forward from Boston University, is the unanimous opinion of draft experts and will be selected by the San Jose Sharks with the No. 1 pick. Levshunov could even go to the Chicago Blackhawks with the No. 2 pick. If Chicago does not take Levshunov, the next four teams in the draft order are the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens and Utah Hockey Club.
Levshunov, who will be the seventh MSU player ever drafted in the first round, will be the first Spartan skater to go in Round 1 since defenseman AJ Thelen was selected 12th in the 2004 draft. Only two MSU players have been drafted in the top five – forward Craig Simpson went second to Pittsburgh in the 1985 draft and forward Joe Murphy was selected No. 1 by Detroit in 1986.
NHL teams immediately noticed Levshunov’s ability to initiate attacks from the blue line during his time at MSU. At 6’2″ and 200 pounds, he has the ideal frame for a right-shot defenseman that scouts look for.
In his only season, he helped the Spartans to the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships and brought them within one game of the NCAA Frozen Four.
“When I came to college, I learned a lot and improved a lot. Last season was very special for me,” Levshunov said. “I gained a lot of experience and college hockey helped me on the ice and in my life. I think teams like my game on offense, but (they want me to) work on defense and play more consistently on the ice.”
Levshunov’s mother and brother traveled from Belarus to see him at the NHL Combine last month and are now with him in Las Vegas for the draft. It’s been almost a full year since Levshunov has seen them in person, which is a special moment for the teenager before learning his future team.
“They spent a week with me in Florida and came here last night to be at the draft,” Levshunov said. “It’s super exciting. The (MSU) coaches are coming tomorrow and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Depending on which team selects Levshunov, he could return to East Lansing for a second season with the Spartans. Some NHL teams prefer their draft picks to develop in college, junior hockey or Europe before moving up to the pro league. Otherwise, the team that drafts Levshunov would likely send him to the American Hockey League’s minor leagues for his first professional season.
“We’ll see. I have to get drafted first and then everything will happen,” Levshunov said. “I’m still in college right now, but we’ll see how the draft goes and what happens after that. It’s hard to say now. I’ve had a lot of good conversations with all the teams I’ve talked to and we’ll see what they plan for me.”
The NHL Draft begins on Friday, June 28th at 7:00 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN and the NHL Network.
Contact Nathaniel Bott at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott
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