ALEXANDRIA, Virginia – Artyom Levshunov isn’t worried about the pressure that comes with being selected by the Chicago Blackhawks second overall in the 2024 draft.
The 18-year-old defender just wants to do his job.
“I want to play hockey and do what I have to do,” Levshunov said. We don’t need to feel pressure. It’s a sport we love to practice. And yes I think we just have to do the right things.
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He has a chance to do those good things this season along with Connor Bedard, the first pick in the 2023 draft.
Bedard’s impact was felt in his first NHL season, as he led the Blackhawks and all league rookies with 61 points (22 goals, 39 assists) in 68 games, scoring on the Calder Cup.
Levshunov isn’t likely to see the same kind of impact in his first season, but the hope is that he can join Bedard as a core part of a team that wants to be a playoff contender. again after two years in a row at the bottom. of the ratings.
Levshunov was one of the most NHL-ready prospects in the 2024 draft because of his size (6’2″, 208 lbs), his skating and his already mature assets. As a rookie last season at Michigan State, he finished ninth among NCAA defensemen with 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 39 games.The right-hander played on the top couple through year, maintaining a plus-27 rating, then was named Big Ten rookie and defensive player of the year.
“Good size, great skater, and he has this X factor where he wants to have the puck, he wants to be the difference maker, he wants to be on the ice in the most important moments of the games,” he said. Blackhawks assistant general manager Mark Eaton. And it’s not a defensive liability. I think that’s the key for defensemen, being good at 200 ft. is everything that this young man likes.
Levshunov, a native of Belarus, spent the off-season in North America training. After the development camp in July, he stayed another week in Chicago, then trained with other professional players in Florida. He returned to Chicago at the end of August to accelerate his preparations for the season, taking a short break to travel to Washington for the NHL Prospects Showcase at the MedStar Capitals IcePlex on September 4.
“I’m trying to do things better,” he said. I’m trying to be better in the gym and on the ice. It’s professional hockey now, so I’m trying to be a pro. »
He will be able to begin this professional career with Bedard after signing a three-year rookie contract on July 6.
Levshunov and Bedard are just beginning to build a friendly relationship. They spent some time together in Vegas after Bedard announced Levshunov’s name on the draft podium. And they exchanged a few text messages over the summer.
“He wrote to me at development camp to ask how things were going,” Levshunov said. We tried to stay in touch over the summer. I wrote to him wishing him a happy birthday on his birthday [le 17 juillet]. »
Even though they haven’t had a chance to skate together yet, Levshunov said he’s already thinking about how the two players could complement each other, especially after watching Bedard from the distance. this past season.
“He is such a good player,” praised Levshunov. A good player on the ice, and a good guy in life. I’m really looking forward to playing with him. I would like to help him achieve even more goals. And he will be able to help me too. »
2024-09-08 23:31:00
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