NCAA DI Men's Hockey

Artyom Levshunov Joins The Likes Of Duncan Keith As MSU Hockey Draft Picks

Artyom Levshunov Joins The Likes Of Duncan Keith As MSU Hockey Draft Picks

Michigan State Hockey is ready to send another former player to the NHL Draft. And it's the Chicago Blackhawks who just may take another MSU defenseman.

Jun 28, 2024 by Joe Harrington
Artyom Levshunov NHL Draft Scouting Report

The Michigan State Hockey program is likely to hear the name of one of the program’s best players early in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft on June 28 in Las Vegas. 

Defenseman Artyom Levshunov is slated by Chris Peters of FloHockey to be picked No. 2 by the Chicago Blackhawks. 

When Levshunov hears his name called by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, he’ll become the 130th Spartan to ever be drafted and the 43rd since 2000. 

He’ll be the first Spartan taken in the first round since Isaac Howard was selected by the Tampa Lightning at No. 31 in 2022. Last year Michigan State had two players taken in the second round, Trey Augustine by the Detroit Red Wings and Maxim Strbak by the Buffalo Sabres. 

Here’s a look at the Michigan State Hockey NHL Draft history. 

Will Artyom Levshunov Be The Highest Drafted MSU Hockey Player

No. If he goes No. 2 as expected, he’ll be the second MSU player ever selected No. 2 in the draft and will be behind Joe Murphy who was the No. 1 pick by the Red Wings in 1986. 

The year before, Craig Simpson went No. 2 to the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Who Is The Greatest MSU Hockey Alum Who Played In The NHL? 

Rod Brind’Amour scored 1,1184 points, nearly twice as many as the next closest MSU alum, Bryan Smolinski. 

Brind’Amour was selected No. 9 overall in 1988. He played for the Blues, the Philadelphia Flyers and the Carolina Hurricanes, which he helped lead to a Stanley Cup in 2006. He is the head of the Hurricanes now and has led the club to six playoff appearances since taking over in 2018. 

But Duncan Keith was named to the NHL’s “100 Greatest NHL Players” list in 2017. He won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2015 and multiple James Norris Memorial trophies as the league’s best defenseman. He also won three Stanley Cups. 

MSU Hockey NHL Draft By The Numbers

Here are some notable Michigan State Hockey numbers. 

MSU Hockey Players Drafted by NHL Team

  • New York Rangers 11
  • St. Louis Blues 10
  • Detroit Red Wings 8
  • Buffalo Sabres 7
  • Philadelphia Flyers 7
  • Chicago Blackhawks 6
  • Edmonton Oilers 6
  • Winnipeg Jets 5
  • Calgary Flames 7
  • Boston Bruins 5
  • Pittsburgh Penguins 4
  • Quebec Nordiques 4
  • Minnesota North Stars 4
  • Washington Capitals 3
  • Florida Panthers 3
  • New York Islanders 3
  • Atlanta Thrashers 3
  • Ottawa Senators 3
  • Carolina Hurricanes 3
  • Vancouver Canucks 3
  • New Jersey Devils 2
  • Minnesota Wild 2
  • Anaheim Ducks 2
  • Montreal Canadiens 2
  • Nashville Predators 2
  • Toronto Maple Leafs 2
  • Hartford Whalers 2
  • Colorado Avalanche 1
  • Columbus Blue Jackets 1
  • San Jose Sharks 1
  • Phoenix Coyotes 1
  • Los Angeles Kings 1
  • Tampa Bay Lightning 1

Most MSU Hockey Players Taken In A Single NHL Draft 

  • 1990: 8
  • 1985: 7
  • 1994: 6
  • 1989: 6
  • 1991: 6
  • 1988: 5
  • 2002: 5
  • 1984: 5
  • 1982: 5
  • 1986: 4
  • 1999: 4
  • 1983: 4
  • 2012: 4
  • 2004: 3
  • 1987: 3
  • 2006: 3
  • 2005: 3
  • 1976: 3
  • 1981: 3

Michigan State Hockey Player Selected By NHl Round

  • First: 10
  • Second: 18
  • Third: 10
  • Fourth: 10
  • Fifth: 12
  • Sixth: 16
  • Seventh: 14
  • Eighth: 7
  • Ninth: 7
  • Tenth: 9
  • Eleventh: 3
  • Twelfth: 1
  • Supplemental: 5

Chicago Blackhawks Last Took A MSU Hockey Player In 2002. It Was Duncan Keith

The Blackhawks have taken six MSU hockey players but none in 22 years. The last player taken from East Lansing was Duncan Keith who was picked No. 54 overall in the second round. He played 17 seasons and is considered one of the best players to have ever played in the NHL. 

Keith played with the Blackhawks from 2005 to 2021 before ending his career with the Edmonton Oilers in 2022. 

He also helped Canada to two Olympic Gold Medals. 

How Many Michigan State Hockey Players Have Won The Stanley Cup?

Here is the list: 

  • 1988 Craig Simpson, Edmonton
  • 1990 Craig Simpson, Edmonton
  • 1990 Joe Murphy, Edmonton
  • 1995 Danton Cole, New Jersey
  • 2006 Rod Brind’Amour, Carolina
  • 2006 Andrew Hutchinson, Carolina
  • 2007 Drew Miller, Anaheim
  • 2008 Justin Abdelkader, Detroit
  • 2010 Duncan Keith, Chicago
  • 2013 Duncan Keith, Chicago
  • 2015 Duncan Keith, Chicago
  • 2019 Mackenzie MacEachern, St. Louis

Here's some more NHL Draft things to know. 

What Time Does The NHL Draft Start?

The first round is at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28. The rest of the draft resumes at 11:30 a.m. on June 29. 

How To Watch NHL Draft 2024

The NHL Draft is airing and streaming on ESPN and ESPN+. 

Live pick analysis and video breakdowns will be available on FloHockey. 

NHL Draft Order

Here is the first round order: 

  1. San Jose Sharks 
  2. Chicago Blackhawks
  3. Anaheim Ducks
  4. Columbus Blue Jackets
  5. Montreal Canadiens
  6. Utah Hockey Club
  7. Ottawa Senators
  8. Seattle Kraken
  9. Calgary Flames
  10. New Jersey Devils
  11. San Jose Sharks 
  12. Philadelphia Flyers
  13. Minnesota Wild
  14. Buffalo Sabres 
  15. Detroit Red Wings
  16. St. Louis Blues
  17. Washington Capitals
  18. Chicago Blackhawks
  19. Las Vegas Golden Knights
  20. New York Islanders
  21. Montreal Canadiens
  22. Nashville Predators
  23. Toronto Maple Leafs
  24. Colorado Avalanche 
  25. Boston Bruins
  26. Los Angeles King
  27. Carolina Hurricanes 
  28. Calgary Flames
  29. Dallas Stars 
  30. New York Rangers
  31.  Anaheim Ducks
  32. Philadelphia Flyers

NHL Draft Lottery 2024

The San Jose Sharks were the big winners getting the No. 1 pick and landing just in front of the Chicago Blackhawks, who were one ball drop away from winning the top pick for the second straight year. 

Top NHL Draft Prospects 

Here is FloHockey analysts Chris Peters' top prospects:

First Published June 3, 2024

FULL TOP 100 SCOUTING REPORTS HERE

  1. Macklin Celebrini, C, Boston University
  2. Artyom Levshunov, D, Michigan State University
  3. Ivan Demidov, RW, SKA St. Petersburg
  4. Anton Silayev, D, Torpedo
  5. Berkly Catton, C, Spokane Chiefs
  6. Zeev Buium, D, University of Denver
  7. Cayden Lindstrom, C, Medicine Hat Tigers
  8. Zayne Parekh, D, Saginaw Spirit
  9. Sam Dickinson, D, London Knights
  10. Carter Yakemchuk, D, Calgary Hitmen
  11. Beckett Sennecke, RW, Oshawa Generals
  12. Tij Iginla, C/W, Kelowna Rockets
  13. Konsta Helenius, C, Jukurit
  14. Cole Eiserman, LW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  15. Michael Brandsegg-Nygard, RW, Mora
  16. Adam Jiricek, D, HC Plzen
  17. Michael Hage, C, Chicago Steel
  18. Jett Luchanko, C, Guelph Storm
  19. Igor Chernyshov, LW, Dynamo Moscow
  20. Trevor Connelly, LW, Tri-City Storm
  21. Nikita Artamonov, LW, Torpedo
  22. Sacha Boisvert, C, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  23. E.J. Emery, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  24. Charlie Elick, D, Brandon Wheat Kings
  25. Stian Solberg, D, Valerenga
  26. Yegor Surin, C/W, Loko Yaroslavl
  27. Cole Beaudoin, C, Barrie Colts
  28. Terik Parascak, RW, Prince George Cougars
  29. Emil Hemming, RW, TPS
  30. Matvei Gridin, RW, Muskegon Lumberjacks
  31. Liam Greentree, RW, Windsor Spitfires
  32. Dean Letourneau, C, St. Andrew’s College
  33. Adam Kleber, D, Lincoln Stars
  34. Leo Sahlin Wallenius, D, Vaxjo U20
  35. Cole Hutson, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  36. Henry Mews, D, Ottawa 67s
  37. Ryder Ritchie, RW, Prince Albert Raiders
  38. Julius Miettinen, C/W, Everett Silvertips
  39. John Mustard, C, Waterloo Black Hawks
  40. Teddy Stiga, C/W, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  41. Lucas Pettersson, C, MODO
  42. Jesse Pulkkinen, D, JYP
  43. Linus Eriksson, C, Djugardens
  44. Dominik Badinka, D, Malmo
  45. Adam Jecho, C/W, Edmonton Oil Kings
  46. Tanner Howe, LW, Regina Pats
  47. Andrew Basha, LW, Medicine Hat Tigers
  48. Leon Muggli, D, Zug
  49. Sam O’Reilly, C/W, London Knights
  50. Marek Vanacker, LW, Brantford Bulldogs
  51. Luca Marelli, D, Oshawa Generals
  52. Aron Kiviharju, D, HIFK
  53. Carson Wetsch, RW, Calgary Hitmen
  54. Harrison Brunicke, D, Kamloops Blazers
  55. Brodie Ziemer, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  56. Maxim Masse, RW, Chicoutimi Sagueneens
  57. Ben Danford, D, Oshawa Generals
  58. Alfons Freij, D, Vaxjo U20
  59. Will Skahan, D, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  60. Lukas Fischer, D, Sarnia Sting
  61. Tomas Galvas, D, Liberec
  62. Mikhail Yegorov, G, Omaha Lancers
  63. Owen Allard, C, Soo Greyhounds
  64. Aatos Koivu, C, TPS
  65. Veeti Vaisanen, D, KooKoo
  66. Jacob Battaglia, RW, Kingston Frontenacs
  67. Luke Misa, C, Mississauga Steelheads
  68. Ilya Protas, LW, Des Moines Buccaneers
  69. Kamil Bednarik, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  70. Jack Berglund, C, Farjestad U20
  71. Christian Humphreys, C, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  72. Simon Zether, C, Rogle
  73. Max Plante, RW, U.S. National Under-18 Team
  74. Eriks Mateiko, LW, Saint John Sea Dogs
  75. Colton Roberts, D, Vancouver Giants
  76. Eemil Vinni, G, Jokipojat
  77. ONdrej Kos, LW, Ilves U20
  78. Pavel Moysevich, G, SKA St. Petersburg
  79. Alexander Zetterberg, C, Orebro U20
  80. Maximillian Curran, C, Tri-City Americans
  81. Spencer Gill, D, Rimouski Oceanic
  82. Gabriel Eliasson, D, HV71 U20
  83. Justin Poirier, RW, Baie-Comeau Drakkar
  84. Logan Sawyer, C, Brooks Bandits
  85. Hagen Burrows, RW, Sioux City Musketeers
  86. Marcus Gidlof, G, Leksands U20
  87. Petr Sikora, C, Trinec U20
  88. Ondrej Becher, C, Prince George Cougars
  89. Sebastian Soini, D, Ilves U20
  90. Carter George, G, Owen Sound Attack
  91. Ethan Procyszyn, C, North Bay Battalion
  92. Tomas Lavoie, D, Cape Breton Eagles
  93. Timur Kol, D, Omsk
  94. Ollie Josephson, C, Red Deer Rebels
  95. Jonathan Morello, C, St. Michael’s Buzzers
  96. Will Zellers, LW, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
  97. Heikki Ruohonen, C, Kiekko-Espoo U20
  98. Colin Ralph, D, Shattuck-St. Mary’s
  99. Joona Vaisanen, D, Dubuque Fighting Saints
  100. Mac Swanson, C, Fargo Force

NHL Draft Predictions

Here are Chris Peters' NHL Mock Drafts:

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