How far up the 2024 NHL draft board can Artyom Levshunov go?
NCAA: Michigan State vs Air Force, October 12, 2023: Levshunov played almost a full seven minutes more than any other Spartan as he totaled 27:11 in ice time including being a special team monster with 4:54 on the power play and 4:36 while shorthanded. He led the game with eleven takeaways and seven attempted shots on the power play with four of those hitting the net. Levshunov’s stat line looks unbelievable until you see that he had 6 shots blocked with 5 of those blocks coming on the man advantage. We noted in our previous evaluations that this is an area of his game to keep an eye on.
NCAA: Michigan State vs Lake Superior State, October 8, 2023: Levshunov led the Spartans in total ice time by over ninety seconds with 23:31 including a team high 2:07 on the power play and 0:54 while shorthanded. Again on the opening shift of the game he did something that made the building come alive as he showed closing speed to catch a Lake State player on a breakaway and poke the puck away without taking a penalty. Offensively he finished with a team high seven shots including scoring on a one-timer from the high slot at the end of a power play. On the goal the pass was perfectly in his wheel house and was able to take a quick peek at the net before firing a rocket three quarters of the way of the net past the goalie’s glove. He was a little more careless with the puck as he led the the Spartans with nine giveaways with seven of those giveaways coming when Levshunov was trying to do too much and forcing plays. On the night he finished +2 with a goal, 7 shots, 3 hits, received 2 hits, 9 giveaways and 6 takeaways. Something to keep track of, Levshunov did have another shot blocked as tonight’s occurred with 10:20 to go in the third period when he joined the rush attempting to fire a cross body one-timer from the high slot.
NCAA: Michigan State vs Lake Superior State, October 7, 2023: Levshunov opened the game as the starting right defenseman and he did not disappoint. On the opening play the Michigan State center won the puck directly to him and he charged to redline for a strong side chip. As this was happening the Lake State left defenseman decided he was going to take a run at him and all Levshunov did was throw a reverse hit exploding shoulder that sent his opponent flying onto his butt. Offensively he was in constant motion and very difficult for his opponents to cover. His off puck movement and pace led to him having five shots on net including two grade “A” opportunities. Defensively he was an animal with high end puck anticipation which allowed him to lead the Spartans with thirteen takeaways. In the defensive zone he sorted through potential scissor plays, picks and incidental contact with his quick game processing. On the night he finished with a game high 22:49 in total ice time including 1:27 on the power play and 1:07 while shorthanded. He finished +2 with 0 points, 5 shots, 2 grade “A” opportunities, 0 hits, received 2 hits, 6 giveaways and 13 takeaways. Levshunov did have 2 shots blocked with both coming on the same shift in the second period. On the first he was playing the left point and he attempted a sweeping snapshot that Lake State’s low defenseman took a knee to block. The second came on a quick stick one-timer that led to ending Michigan State’s offensive zone time.
USHL Playoffs: Dubuque vs Green Bay, May 9, 2023: Levshunov is a solid defenseman who plays well in all aspects of the game. He defends responsibly as he wins puck battles and 50/50 races by moving his feet and playing physically. He creates separation by playing the body and coming up with loose pucks. The big defender starts the transition play with quick passes up the ice, once making his passes immediately looks to jump and join the rush as the second wave of offense. He has a great skating ability and good hockey instincts. Levshunov leads and plays well with and without the puck. In the offensive zone, he creeps into the soft areas to receive passes and get shots toward the net. He logs a ton of minutes and is a younger player. Impressive. Grade: B+
USHL: Green Bay vs Madison, January 2, 2023: An elite talent on the blue line for the Gamblers. Does so many little things right and does everything with a full boat of confidence. On the 1st goal of the game for the Gamblers, he pinches in at the blue line corrals the puck spins off an opponent sending a backhand pass through traffic (which eventually ends up in the back of the net). Not the most defensive defenseman but isn’t a liability by any means. Considering his skill set he can control pucks and limit his defensive zone time by getting to pucks first keeping possession and breaking the puck out quickly with precise first passes. When going in for loose pucks attacks his opponents and plays with tenacity and grit. In the offensive zone shows no sign of backing down. Holds the blue line with confidence and wants himself and his teammates to always play offense. When his teammates have the puck he filters himself into positions on the blue line where he can get shots off quickly. Scores a goal by doing exactly that. Receives a pass and puts a one-timer past the goaltender. Grade: A-
USHL American Cup: Green Bay vs Youngstown, December 3, 2022: Levshunov plays a solid overall game. Showed mobility and poise at the point to get pucks to net in finding shooting lanes or pass option. He does not wind up instead takes quick snapshots from offensive blue line. He made bad dump in to far corner that led to stretch pass and 1st goal against. His play does not scream at you, it’s just good defensive positioning, stick checks, and ability to transition and make those short passes in defensive zone. He made good, quick breakout pass in 2nd period that led to scoring chance. He plays with poise, confidence and does not show any panic in his game. He will definitely have many eyes on him for NHL Draft in 2024. Statistical Game Report: 24:37 TOI, 3:35 PPTOI, 0:10 PKTOI, -3, 3 SOG, 3 PPSOG, 0 Hits, 1 SBL, 3 Giveaways, 12 Takeaways and 82% puck battles won.
USHL: Fall Classic, November 15, 2022: Often times in a tournament like this the best player in the event is not the best prospect as you have 16 year old’s playing against 20 year old’s but Artyom Levshunov was both. A late ’05 NHL teams will have to wait another year before they can draft him but he’s a rare talent with his size strength skating ability and two-way game. He’s 6’2′ 200lbs and displays impressive lower body and core strength and one several occasions was able to knock opponents clean off their feet when going for the puck. He’s a poised puck handler made opponents miss in the neutral zone when leading rushes up the ice and scored a hard release catch and shoot wrister on the power play from the top circles. He also displayed a heavy slap shot and snap shot from the point and is a legit scoring threat anywhere in the offensive zone with his power and ability to walk the line find the seam and immediately snap the shot off. Levshunov has a calmness with the puck he doesn’t rush his progressions he’s not rattled by forecheck pressure and he can shield opponents from the puck with pure strength and balance and he also has the stickhandling ability to maneuver through and around them. He made a brilliant stretch pass through the neutral zone which sent Van Tassell in on a breakaway which he was stuffed but the pass showed not only his vision but his poise and puck control to keep his eyes down the ice and wait for him to break free and then deliver a perfect pass on the tape. He quarterbacked their top power play unit he made crisp passes all over the offensive zone to set up scoring chances and when he had a lane to the net he didn’t hesitate and would take the ice that was given. Defensively he’s excellent 1v1 and in the hard areas because of his strength toughness and athleticism/mobility but from a positional standpoint he’s undisciplined. He chased after puck carriers wide he had his stick in the air at times when it should have been on the ice blocking lanes and he took some poor angles which allowed forwards the space to cut inside on him or walk him out of the corners. Easily coachable issues that will likely be corrected as he gets more exposure to playing North American hockey and gets more acclimated to the league but he’s a serious NHL Draft prospect with early around potential. Looked like a man among boys at times not just physically but his poise and composure with the puck and this is a late ’05 playing his first games in junior hockey in North America – as impressive a performance as we saw in this event. Grade: A
USHL: Green Bay vs Muskegon, October 20, 2022: Right-shot defenseman with lots of upside to his game. Lots of talent as he’s able to read his opponents well (that are pressuring him) and make plays accordingly. Would retrieve pucks with confidence use the net as protection and break the puck up ice quickly. Not afraid to hop into the rush and join the forecheck as a defender. Could play a bit reckless at times but he oozes confidence and it allows him to play the way he does. Played up top on the PP and did a great job quarterbacking it. Didn’t force plays and kept it simple ‘ by doing so his PP unit-maintained possession and garnered grade-A chances by not forcing turnovers. Grade: B+
USHL: Green Bay vs Tri-City, October 14, 2022: Artyom has superb ‘hockey sense/IQ.’ He was able to make up for his mistakes because of his skating and smart angles. If he can learn to spend more time between the dots to defend and carry the puck, he could emerge as one of the best defensemen in the USHL at a young age. He is confident poised and strong over the puck. Away from the puck, he tends to fade outside the dots but also can recover when the puck is turned over. He has enormous potential. Grade: A-
USHL Exhibition Game: Green Bay vs Dubuque, September 14, 2022: Artyom has OUTSTANDING hockey sense … he sees the ice as good as anyone at a young age. He is confident and composed. The only negative is that he gets caught outside of the dots at times when he doesn’t need to be in those spaces. Levshunov’s poise is excellent, and his puck decisions were great all night. With his length and poise, he will be a great player as he develops. Grade: A
Photo Credit: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images