Artyom Levshunov: Speak Softly and Play a Big Game

The Michigan State freshman and high-end 2024 NHL Draft prospect is loving his time in East Lansing.

EAST LANSING, MICH. - To say that Artyom Levshunov is a quiet interview would be an understatement. But hey - for a kid whose first language is not English, that's understandable. And even though librarians would tell him to turn it up a notch, the freshman Michigan State defenseman and high-end 2024 NHL draft prospect makes a lot of noise on the ice to make up for it.

Originally from Belarus, Levshunov (pronounced Lev-Shnoff) has lived up to expectations with the Spartans, posting a point per game from the blueline in his first NCAA campaign. At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, he already has NHL size and he's not afraid to put in the gym work to continue building on that frame.

"He's...uncommon," said Will Morlock, head of athletic performance for MSU hockey. "I've trained a lot of high-end NHL 'D' and he can do it all. Everything we do in the gym he excels at. What's even more impressive is that yes, he's strong, he's powerful, he's fast, all these things you objectively want him to be, but it's his mindset and intent. He stays after and stretches for a half-hour, an hour after the workout is over; he looks for any little edge he can get and that's what makes you a pro. He's asking for more and whole-heartedly wants to do more."

For Levshunov, having the facilities and the staff who can help in his quest to get better is exactly what he wants.

"It's awesome," he said. "We've got everything for our development. We have a good strength coach in Will and he helps us a lot."

Levshunov's first foray in North America came last year in the USHL with Green Bay. Even though he was a rookie, he put up massive numbers for the Gamblers, finishing fifth among USHL defensemen with 42 points in 62 games. Now, he's enjoying the challenge of playing even older competition in the NCAA.

"It's probably harder to play against older players because they have more experience," Levshunov said. "College hockey is faster, smarter and more physical than when I played in the USHL last season."

But Levshunov is thriving nonetheless. He can take a hit to make a play and he can also dish it out. He plays on the Spartans' power play and not surprisingly, leads all Michigan State blueliners in points.

"For him to do this at his age as a defenseman in our conference is very, very rare," said coach Adam Nightingale. "What I really like about him is that he understands there are two ends of the rink, he's not just an offensive defenseman. He's still growing his game, but he has an interest and passion in defending, which is hard to find in a kid with that much talent. He has big-time poise on the power play and he's just scratching the surface here."

That defensive detail was on display against No. 1 Wisconsin Friday night, when the Spartans beat the Badgers 4-2. Late in the second period, Florida Panthers pick Owen Lindmark was sprung for a breakaway by a Badgers teammate. Levshunov tracked Lindmark down with his speed, established body position and neutralized the Wisconsin center without taking a penalty on the play.

Levshunov's coaches never have to question his dedication to his craft - in fact, if there was a concern, it would be that they have to kick him out of the recently renovated Munn Ice Arena facilities so he can rest occasionally (and with Nightingale's office being located directly above the new shooting pit, he knows). But hanging out in the hockey players' new lounge, the 18-year-old is exactly where he wants to be, as he revealed when I asked him what his favorite class was at Michigan State:

"My favorite class?" Levshunov said. "Hockey class. Here, this is my class, and at the rink."