Chicago Blackhawks’ Artyom Levshunov out 4 weeks with lower-body injury

Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson announced that rookie Artyom Levshunov will miss the entire preseason with a lower-body injury and is expected to be out for four weeks.

It was announced last week that Levshunov would not be participating in practices or training camp due to an injury to his right foot.

Levshunov was selected No. 2 overall in the 2024 NHL Draft by Chicago. Levshunov became the highest-drafted Belarusian player in NHL history. The previous mark was held by defenseman Ruslan Salei, who was selected ninth overall in the 1996 NHL Draft by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.

The Belarusian native spent the entirety of the 2023-24 season with the Michigan State University Spartans in the NCAA, where he had 9 goals and 26 assists for 35 points in 38 games, good for second in team scoring behind Tampa Bay Lightning prospect and 2022 first-round pick Issac Howard. Levshunov was named the Big Ten Defensive Player and Freshman of the Year. Along with being placed on the Big Ten First All-Star Team, he earned his way onto the AHCA Second All-American Team.

Meanwhile, Davidson also announced that goaltender Laurent Brossoit will miss the next four weeks. Brossoit signed a two-year, $3.3 million AAV contract with Chicago on July 1. 

The Port Alberni, British Columbia native spent the 2023-24 season with the Winnipeg Jets, his second stint with the franchise. In 23 games backing up Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck, Brossoit went 15-5-2 with a 2.00 goals-against average, a .927 save percentage and three shutouts. Across 10 seasons and 140 games, Brossoit has a record of 64-46-13 with a 2.64 GAA, a .911 SV% and six shutouts.