Blackhawks call up Artyom Levshunov from AHL
The Chicago Blackhawks have called up defenseman Artyom Levshunov from the Rockford IceHogs, according to the AHL transaction log.
The Blackhawks have called up Artyom Levshunov, per the AHL transaction log.
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) March 9, 2025Levshunov was the Blackhawks’ second-overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, and up to this point had spent the entirety of his draft +1 season in the AHL with the IceHogs. With the Blackhawks moving on from Seth Jones over a week ago, that’s opened up an opportunity for Levshunov to get some ice time on their blue line, and possibly even their top power play unit.
According to Chicago Sun-Times beat reporter Ben Pope, Levshunov is expected to make his NHL debut at some point this week, although which game has yet to be confirmed. The Blackhawks play the final three games of a four-game road trip this week, visiting the Colorado Avalanche on Monday, the San Jose Sharks on Thursday and the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
Levshunov has had an excellent rookie season in the AHL, with 5 goals and 17 assists for 22 points in 50 games with the IceHogs.
Daily Faceoff’s prospect analyst Steven Ellis had this to say about Levshunov as the Blackhawks’ top prospect:
“Levshunov is Chicago’s No. 1 defenseman of the future, someone they believed in enough to take him second overall in Vegas. He has everything scouts want in a high-end defender – size, mobility and puck-moving skills, just to name a few quality traits. He led the Spartans in scoring after putting up one of the most impressive Draft+1 seasons by a defenseman in recent USHL history the year prior. And he’s got an incredible personality, too.”
The Blackhawks currently have the second-worst record in the league with a 20-35-9 record. Levshunov will have his first opportunity to make his NHL debut on Monday when the team visits Colorado on Monday at 8 p.m. CST.