MSU hockey's Artyom Levshunov selected second overall in the NHL draft.

The Chicago Blackhawks have selected freshman defenseman Artyom Levshunov from Michigan State University hockey with the second overall pick in the 2024 National Hockey League Draft.

“I was a little nervous and thought maybe (the Chicago Blackhawks) would draft me, so I'm happy it happened,” Refshunov said. Said .

The articulate blueliner from Belarus was the Spartans' top defensive player during his freshman season, leading the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance and earning Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors. He skated alongside Nash, a former Michigan State hockey captain. Nine House .

Refshunoff continued his stellar performance as a freshman by being named to the All-American Second Team and was also named to the All-Big Ten First Team and All-Freshman. team .

“I'm so proud of how hard Artie has worked to get to this moment,” head coach Adam Nightingale said. “To have an experience like he had tonight is a dream come true for any young hockey player. I'm incredibly grateful for all he's done for our program last year and look forward to seeing what he does in the future.” development .”

Refshunoff played a significant amount of time during his freshman season, scoring nine goals and 35 points and leading the team in assists with 26. The defenseman fell just two points shy of tying the record for most points by a freshman defenseman in Michigan State hockey history. He played in all 38 regular season games and every game during the season. Postseason .

He is the highest-round pick in the NHL draft in 36 years, the last being when current Carolina Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind'Eamore selected him ninth overall to the St. Louis Blues in 1986. He is the 12th first-round pick in program history, joining current teammates junior forward Isaac Howard (Tampa Bay Lightning) and incoming transfer student sophomore forward Charlie Stramel (Minnesota). wild ).

Now that the designation has been finalized, a decision must be made: Refshunoff, his family, the Chicago Blackhawks and Michigan State coaching staffs will have further discussions about returning as a sophomore. season .

Unlike drafts in other professional sports, hockey allows players to return to their colleges or respective teams, so news of his return will be discussed and announced at a later date, either for the time being or until he is ready to sign a contract. time .

“I've been thinking about the draft and where I am all day,” Refshunov said. “It was a simple day for me. I showed up to the draft and I got drafted. Life goes on, the world goes on. I'm just excited to be a part of it.” Blackhawks .”

Levshunov was selected second overall, along with another current Spartan and two future players in the program who were also selected on the day. two .

Promising sophomore defenseman Patrick Geary was selected in the late sixth round with the 172nd pick by the Buffalo Sabres. Geary is a Buffalo native and was drafted by his hometown team and comes out of the Buffalo Jr. Sabres program. The New York Blue-liner recorded five goals and eight assists while appearing in 32 of 38 games. game .

He scored the game-winning goal in overtime against in-state rival Michigan in the Big Ten Championship game. Geary now joins sophomore teammate Maxim Strubak, who was drafted 45th overall by the Sabres in 2023. draft .

Two future Spartans players, both graduates of the U.S. National Team Development Program, were also selected in the seventh round of the draft: Michigan forward Lucas Van Vleet was selected 197th overall by the Vegas Golden Knights, becoming the first Spartans player to be selected by the team, while forward Austin Baker was selected 203rd overall by his hometown team, the Detroit Red Wings. whole .

Baker is joined on the team by sophomore goaltender Trey Augustin, who was drafted in the second round in 2023, and senior forward Red Savage, who was drafted by the Red and White in 2019. 2021 .