Michigan State hockey star Artyom Levshunov selected No. 2 overall in NHL Draft
![Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov (5) and Notre Dame forward Trevor Janicke (27) battle for the puck during the Michigan State-Notre Dame NCAA hockey game on Friday, February 02, 2024, at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Indiana. Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov (5) and Notre Dame forward Trevor Janicke (27) battle for the puck during the Michigan State-Notre Dame NCAA hockey game on Friday, February 02, 2024, at Compton Family Ice Arena in South Bend, Indiana.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1024,h_576,x_0,y_28/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/137/01j1gan40regn410p8h5.jpg)
For the first time in two decades, Michigan State hockey has had a player selected in the first round of the NHL Entry Draft.
On Friday night, star defenseman Artyom Levshunov became the latest Spartans to get drafted, going No. 2 overall to the Blackhawks.
ARTYOM LEVSHUNOV IS A CHICAGO BLACKHAWK ‼️ pic.twitter.com/zg8Qr9jIJO
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 28, 2024
This selection doesn't come as much of a surprise as the No. 1 pick was pretty much set in stone and Levshunov was considered either the second or third-best prospect in this year's draft. He has a tough decision to make now that he's been selected: will he stay in the NHL or will he go back to Michigan State to finish what he started. If he stays in the league, he has to feel NHL-ready because he's too old for the AHL but if he comes back, he could help lead one of the most loaded rosters in college hockey to its first national title in nearly 20 years.
This is a well-earned selection for one of the best defensemen in the country and he also averaged nearly a point per game with Michigan State so he can do it all.
Levshunov would be a huge addition to the Blackhawks but if he does decide to come back, Adam Nightingale will have one of the most physically imposing teams in the nation. The expectations will rise and it'll be national title or bust, especially with Trey Augustine deciding to come back, too.
Michigan State hockey hasn't been this back in decades, folks. Enjoy what Nightingale has done.