Blackhawks Recall Top Defensive Prospect Artyom Levshunov

The Chicago Blackhawks dressed 10 players 23 or younger for last night’s overtime loss to the Nashville Predators. That number will grow as the team recalled defenseman Artyom Levshunov from the Rockford IceHogs. The 19-year-old blueliner was the No.2 overall pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft.

Levshunov has taken giant strides over the past few weeks in Rockford after a slow start to his professional career. In 50 AHL games, he has five goals and 22 points, including 11 points in his last 14 games. He leads all AHL rookies with 137 shots on goal.

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This is Levshunov’s second recall to the Blackhawks. He came up during the AHL All-Star break in early February and got in a couple of practices with the team. According to Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times, the young defenseman is expected to make his NHL debut this time around. The Blackhawks’ four-game road trip continues Monday night against the Colorado Avalanche, with games against the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks before returning home.

The IceHogs have a 10-point cushion for the final Calder Cup Playoff berth in the Central Division. They are in no immediate danger of missing the postseason, so this is a good time to reward him for his recent play with a small taste of the NHL. This recall is not likely to be long, and he’ll be back in Rockford in time for the playoff run. It’s the perfect time to have him up, with the recent youth movement taking over the locker room and culture.

The Blackhawks will have a morning skate tomorrow before their game with the Avalanche. Then, we will get an idea of Anders Sorensen’s plans for Levshunov.