CHICAGO – Artyom Levshunov will not play in the Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase with the Chicago Blackhawks this weekend after suffering the injury blocking a shot with his right foot during a recent practice.
The 18-year-old defenseman, who the Blackhawks selected second overall in the last draft, did not practice Wednesday.
“I don’t know the exact timeline, but it doesn’t seem too bad,” said Rockford IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen, who will oversee Blackhawks practices and games.
“He was disappointed. He wanted to play. The encouraging thing is he said he didn’t feel any pain. He’s young and he wants to get on the ice right away, but it’s the right thing for him with what’s going on right now.”
Levshunov, the third-youngest player in the U.S. college ranks last season, tied for 10th among NCAA defensemen with 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 38 games at Michigan State. He was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, and was named a First Team All-Star and All-Rookie. Levshunov led the conference with a plus-minus rating of plus-27.
Levshunov signed a three-year rookie contract with the Blackhawks on July 6.
“I feel bad for him,” offensive prospect Frank Nazar said Wednesday. Nazar, who played for the University of Michigan from 2022-24, faced Levshunov last season. “It hurts to get hurt, especially this quickly.”
“I know him as a person and I’ve seen him work. In a short period of time, I’ve seen how determined he is. I know he’s going to come back and work hard. Maybe he’s going to work on things that he couldn’t have done skating every day. He’s going to work on his upper body if he can’t use his feet. I know he’s going to come back better.”
The Blackhawks prospects will face the St. Louis Blues at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo., at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and the Minnesota Wild prospects at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.
Chicago’s first preseason game will be Sept. 25 against the Detroit Red Wings. The Blackhawks will open their season Oct. 8 against the Utah Hockey Club.
Blackhawks top prospects 2024
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Chicago Blackhawks’ Top Draft Pick Artyom Levshunov Sidelined with Foot Injury
The Chicago Blackhawks’ highly touted prospect Artyom Levshunov will be missing the Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase this weekend due to a foot injury he sustained during a recent practice. According to reports, Levshunov blocked a shot with his right foot, which will keep him sidelined for a few weeks [[2]].
The 18-year-old defenseman, who was selected second overall in the last draft, did not practice on Wednesday, and it has been confirmed that he will be wearing a walking boot to aid in his recovery [[3]]. This is a significant setback for Levshunov, who was looking forward to participating in the showcase and making a strong impression.
Despite the disappointment, Rockford IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen remains optimistic about Levshunov’s prognosis, stating, “I don’t know the exact timeline, but it doesn’t seem too bad” [[1]]. Levshunov himself is also taking the news in stride, with Sorensen noting that the young defenseman did not feel any pain and is eager to get back on the ice as soon as possible.
Levshunov’s impressive credentials in the NCAA last season, where he tied for 10th among defensemen with 35 points in 38 games for Michigan State, had Blackhawks fans excited to see him take the ice. The highly decorated player was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, and was named a First Team All-Star and All-Rookie.
The Blackhawks signed Levshunov to a three-year rookie contract on July 6, and despite this setback, the team remains confident in his potential. Fellow prospect Frank Nazar, who faced Levshunov last season, expressed sympathy for his injured teammate, saying, “It hurts to get hurt, especially this quickly.”
While Levshunov’s injury is a disappointment, the Blackhawks are taking a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery. With the young defenseman expected to be out for a few weeks, the team will continue to monitor his progress and provide updates on his status.
In the meantime, Blackhawks fans will have to wait a little longer to see Levshunov take the ice, but his impressive skills and strong work ethic will undoubtedly make him a force to be reckoned with in the NHL once he recovers from his injury.
Artyom Levshunov Draft
Chicago Blackhawks’ Top Draft Pick Artyom Levshunov Sidelined with Foot Injury
The Chicago Blackhawks’ highly touted prospect Artyom Levshunov will be missing the Tom Kurvers Prospects Showcase this weekend due to a foot injury he sustained during a recent practice. According to reports, Levshunov blocked a shot with his right foot, which will keep him sidelined for a few weeks [[2]].
The 18-year-old defenseman, who was selected second overall in the last draft, did not practice on Wednesday, and it has been confirmed that he will be wearing a walking boot to aid in his recovery [[3]]. This is a significant setback for Levshunov, who was looking forward to participating in the showcase and making a strong impression.
Despite the disappointment, Rockford IceHogs coach Anders Sorensen remains optimistic about Levshunov’s prognosis, stating, “I don’t know the exact timeline, but it doesn’t seem too bad” [[1]]. Levshunov himself is also taking the news in stride, with Sorensen noting that the young defenseman did not feel any pain and is eager to get back on the ice as soon as possible.
Levshunov’s impressive credentials in the NCAA last season, where he tied for 10th among defensemen with 35 points in 38 games for Michigan State, had Blackhawks fans excited to see him take the ice. The highly decorated player was named the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, and was named a First Team All-Star and All-Rookie.
The Blackhawks signed Levshunov to a three-year rookie contract on July 6, and despite this setback, the team remains confident in his potential. Fellow prospect Frank Nazar, who faced Levshunov last season, expressed sympathy for his injured teammate, saying, “It hurts to get hurt, especially this quickly.”
While Levshunov’s injury is a disappointment, the Blackhawks are taking a cautious approach to ensure his full recovery. With the young defenseman expected to be out for a few weeks, the team will continue to monitor his progress and provide support during his rehabilitation.
In the meantime, the Blackhawks prospects will face the St. Louis Blues at Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Mo., at 8 p.m. ET on Friday and the Minnesota Wild prospects at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday. Chicago’s first preseason game will be Sept. 25 against the Detroit Red Wings, and the Blackhawks will open their season Oct. 8 against the Utah Hockey Club.
Blackhawks top prospects 2024
The Chicago Blackhawks have a rich pool of talented prospects, and Artyom Levshunov is one of the most highly touted young players in the organization. Despite this setback, Levshunov is expected to make a strong impact in the NHL in the coming years. With his impressive skills and determination, he is sure to come back stronger than ever and make a significant contribution to the Blackhawks’ success.
In the meantime, Blackhawks fans can look forward to seeing other top prospects in action, including Frank Nazar and others. The team’s commitment to developing young talent is a key part of their strategy for success, and fans can expect to see exciting performances from these up-and-coming players in the coming seasons.
