2nd pick signs with Chicago Blackhawks

Artyom Levshunov chose to go professional.

The defenseman was undecided among several options going into last month's 2024 NHL Draft, including spending his sophomore season at Michigan State, before settling on a three-year, entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks as the No. 2 pick.

The deal will increase the salary cap by $975,000.

“Signing Artyom gives us the opportunity to further develop him internally and take the next step into professional hockey,” general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement Saturday. “He is a strong two-way defenseman who has all the ingredients to be a top player in the NHL.”

Speaking on the final day of development camp Friday, Davidson said it would have been acceptable for Refshunoff to continue playing for Michigan State coach Adam Nightingale's “world-class program.”

But in the Hawks' system, “the ability to always have that in-person instruction, be able to be at the contact points 24/7, every day of the year, and be able to focus on the development, the play and the lifestyle of our young players has always been a big benefit for us.”

The 6-foot-2 Refshunov appeared in 38 games for the Spartans, recording nine goals and 26 assists and helping them win the Big Ten regular season and tournament championships. He earned the conference's Defensive Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year awards.

His 35 points ranked ninth among NCAA defensemen and he was named a second-team All-American by the United States Hockey Coaches Association.

The 18-year-old Belarusian will begin his professional career with the Rockford IceHogs.