Artyom Levshunov Bio
Artyom Andreyevich Levshunov is a Belarusian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenceman for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played college ice hockey for Michigan State University before turning professional. Selected second overall by the Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL entry draft, he became the highest-drafted Belarusian player in NHL history. Levshunov made his NHL debut in March 2025, marking a milestone moment for both his career and Belarusian hockey.
Early Life and Background
Artyom Andreyevich Levshunov was born on October 28, 2005, in Zhlobin, Belarus. He grew up in a country with a strong ice hockey tradition, and his hometown sits within a region where the sport is widely followed. From a young age, Levshunov developed his skills within the Belarusian hockey system, training alongside some of the country’s most promising young players.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighing 208 pounds, Levshunov built the physical frame that would later suit the demanding role of an NHL defenceman. He shoots right and is known for his two-way capabilities on the ice. His early development took place primarily in Belarus, where he played for the national under-18 team in the Belarusian Vysshaya Liga, the country’s second-tier professional league. During the 2021–22 season, he recorded 25 goals and 38 assists in 63 games, establishing himself as one of the most talented young players in his country.
Path to Hockey
Following his strong season with Belarus’s under-18 team, Levshunov was selected 111th overall by the Green Bay Gamblers in the eighth round of the 2022 United States Hockey League (USHL) Phase II Draft. The move to the USHL represented a significant step in his development, providing him with exposure to the North American style of play and a higher level of competition. He debuted with the Gamblers as a 16-year-old, speaking very little English at the time.
Levshunov quickly adapted to his new environment. On November 9, 2022, he earned his first USHL Defenceman of the Week award after recording two goals and three assists in two games. He claimed the honor again on March 20, 2023, with four points in two games. Finishing the 2022–23 season with 13 goals, he ranked third among USHL defencemen in scoring. After the Gamblers were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Dubuque Fighting Saints, Levshunov was named to the USHL First All-Rookie Team and the Third All-USHL Team. He committed to Michigan State University in the summer of 2023.
Artyom Levshunov Career
Early Career (2022–2023)
Levshunov began his North American career with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL during the 2022–23 season. As a 16-year-old defenceman adjusting to a new country and language, he produced impressive offensive numbers from the blue line. His 13 goals ranked third among all USHL defencemen that season, demonstrating his ability to contribute at both ends of the ice.
His consistent performances earned him recognition through multiple weekly awards and postseason honors. The First All-Rookie Team selection confirmed his status as one of the top first-year players in the league, while the Third All-USHL Team nod reflected his standing among all defencemen. These achievements helped pave the way for his commitment to Michigan State University.
Michigan State Era (2023–2024)
Levshunov made his collegiate debut for Michigan State on October 7, 2023, in the first game of a season-opening series against Lake Superior State. The following day, he recorded his first goal and assist in the second game of the series, announcing his arrival at the NCAA level with immediate offensive contributions.
He finished the 2023–24 season with nine goals and 26 assists in 38 games, totaling 35 points. That mark placed him ninth overall in scoring among NCAA defencemen. His standout freshman campaign was recognized with two prestigious Big Ten awards: Freshman of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. His performance throughout the season helped elevate his draft stock significantly heading into the 2024 NHL entry draft.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2024–Present)
Levshunov was selected second overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2024 NHL entry draft, becoming the highest-drafted Belarusian player in NHL history. He signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Blackhawks on July 6, 2024. However, his path to the NHL was slowed by an injury during the summer of 2024, when he fractured his foot blocking a shot during a three-on-three tournament.
Despite the injury, Levshunov continued to skate for over a month before an MRI scan at the Blackhawks’ training camp revealed the fracture. He was placed on injured reserve on October 4, 2024, missing training camp, the preseason, and the season-opener. On October 22, 2024, he was activated off injured reserve and assigned to the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. After further development in the minors, Levshunov made his NHL debut on March 10, 2025, against the Colorado Avalanche, recording 20 minutes and 55 seconds of ice time with a plus-minus rating of minus-one in a 3–0 loss.
Driving Style and Strengths
Note: As an ice hockey defenceman, Levshunov’s strengths translate directly to the rink. He combines a 6-foot-2, 208-pound frame with strong offensive instincts, evidenced by his 13-goal USHL season and 35-point NCAA freshman year. His right-handed shot, two-way capability, and poise under pressure make him a modern-style defenceman capable of quarterbacking a power play and shutting down opposing forwards.
Notable Events and Milestones
Levshunov’s selection as the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft stands as his most significant milestone, making him the highest-drafted Belarusian player in NHL history. His NHL debut on March 10, 2025, against the Colorado Avalanche marked another landmark moment, officially beginning his top-level professional career.
Artyom Levshunov Career Wins
Throughout his young career, Levshunov has accumulated several notable achievements and honors across multiple leagues. From weekly awards in the USHL to conference recognition in the NCAA, his resume reflects consistent excellence at every level he has played.
USHL Highlights
Levshunov’s time with the Green Bay Gamblers produced multiple individual honors despite his team’s first-round playoff exit. He earned two USHL Defenceman of the Week awards during the 2022–23 season and was named to both the First All-Rookie Team and the Third All-USHL Team. His 13 goals that season ranked third among all USHL defencemen, an outstanding total for a 16-year-old in his first North American season.
NCAA and International Performances
At Michigan State, Levshunov earned Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors during the 2023–24 season. Internationally, he debuted with Belarus at the 2022 World Junior Championships in the Division I Group A tournament, helping his country win a gold medal while recording two assists in five games. His selection as the second overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft represents the crowning achievement of his amateur career.
Artyom Levshunov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Note: Levshunov comes from Zhlobin, Belarus, a city with a strong hockey tradition, though specific details about his parents and family are not publicly verified in available sources.
Personal Life
Public information regarding Artyom Levshunov’s personal life, including marital status and family details beyond his place of birth, remains limited. He continues to focus on his developing professional hockey career with the Chicago Blackhawks organization.
2025 Season Performance
Levshunov entered the 2024–25 NHL season as one of the most highly anticipated rookies in the Chicago Blackhawks organization. After recovering from a fractured foot that sidelined him at the start of the campaign, he was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL for further development. His promotion to the NHL came in March 2025, when he made his debut against the Colorado Avalanche on March 10, 2025.
Although his first NHL game resulted in a 3–0 loss, Levshunov logged nearly 21 minutes of ice time, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his abilities. As a 19-year-old defenceman adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NHL, his development remains a key priority for the Blackhawks’ rebuilding roster.
Looking ahead through the remainder of 2025 and beyond, Levshunov is expected to compete for a full-time roster spot with the Blackhawks. His combination of size, skating ability, and offensive upside positions him as a potential cornerstone of the franchise’s blue line for years to come. The 2025–26 season will be a critical period in establishing his role within the team’s long-term plans.
