After weeks of speculation, the Chicago Blackhawks selected Michigan State University defenseman with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft.
Levshunov, 18, has been considered the top defenseman available in the 2024 Draft since before this season began, but he cemented that with his play as a freshman this past year. He produced nearly a point per game, putting up 35 points (9 G, 26 A) in 38 NCAA games while playing as a top-pair defenseman for the Spartans. He was also named the Big Ten’s Newcomer of the Year, Defenseman of the Year and was a First Team All-Big Ten selection. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, Levshunov is a physically mature player with excellent speed and smart two-way instincts. The Blackhawks are hoping that they’ve found their No. 1 defenseman of the future.
Levshunov also made a bit of history as the highest drafted player from Belarus ever. He was also the seventh Michigan State player drafted in the first round, and the the first Spartan skater to go in Round 1 since 2004.
It’s unknown if Levshunov plans to return to Michigan State or make the transition to professional hockey this upcoming season. But when he does make the jump, he would be joining a young defensive group that already has Alex Vlasic, a 2019 second-round pick who rose to a legit top-four defenseman this past season, and Kevin Korchinski, a 2022 first-round pick from 2022 that held his own at just 19 last year. Other defenders in the prospect pool include Sam Rinzel (2022, first round), Nolan Allan (2021, first round), Ethan Del Mastro (2021, fourth round), and Wyatt Kaiser (2020, second round).