Artyom Levshunov & Sam Rinzel ready for the next step

The long summer is finally over as the Chicago Blackhawks hockey officially returned to the Fifth Third Arena today. A group of 23 National Hockey League hopefuls had their first practice together, heading into this weekend’s Tom Kurvers Prospect Showcase in St. Paul, MN. They will all stick around next week for the start of the NHL training camp, but only a handful will play professionally this season. Even fewer have a legitimate chance of making the Blackhawks’ roster.

Sam Rinzel, Artyom Levshunov, and Oliver Moore have the best chances to play significant minutes in the NHL this season. This week will serve as a way to get off on the right foot and hopefully be the noticeable players on the ice.

Levshunov and Rinzel are shaping up to be cornerstones of the Blackhawks' defense for years to come. This week gives them a chance to start their season early, something neither was able to do a year ago. Levshunov was dealing with a foot injury that kept him off the ice for all of training camp, while Rinzel was back at the University of Minnesota.

Arty Party Starting on Time This Season

A late-summer foot injury delayed the start of Levshunov’s professional season. He couldn’t take part in rookie or training camp last fall, so seeing him out there today was good.

“I feel great,” Levshunov said after the week’s first practice. “I’m healthy and ready.”

The second-overall pick of the 2024 NHL Entry Draft looked good on the ice today. Yes, it’s only drills, but he was one of the most noticeable players on the ice with his smooth skating and quickness. That is precisely what you want to see from him at rookie camp.

Rockford IceHogs head coach Jared Nightingale is running the rookie camp. He was not with the team last season, so this is his first look at Levshunov. However, his brother Adam is the head coach at Michigan State, where Levshunov played during his draft year.

“Arty’s still a teenager, so it’s tough,” he said. “Every player is a different story. I’d say with defense, it does take a while. There are a lot more little parts of the game in defending. He looked great in practice today. He’s going to get some big minutes in Minnesota, and he’ll have a great opportunity in training camp.”

A Bigger Same Rinzel is Ready to Go

Rinzel got a nine-game taste of the NHL after his college career concluded. His impressive stint seemed to get better with every game. He spent his summer back in Minnesota for his offseason training. He focused on improving his shot and being harder to play against.

“It does give you some confidence, knowing you have that little bit of experience,” he said. “But I’ve got to earn it, just like everyone else.”

Part of Rinzel’s summer was spent playing in Da Beauty League. The league features an array of NHL, AHL, and college players who get together once a week for a series of games.

“It was cool to be with those older pro guys,” he said. “You can learn so much from them, just in how they are off the ice.”

Rinzel’s NHL stint gave him valuable insight into what he needs to do to be an effective player at the game’s highest level. In addition to working on his shot, the young blueliner added some weight for the upcoming season. He revealed he is up to 195 pounds, thanks to drinking more shakes this summer.

Despite having an extra L on his jersey today, Rinzel will be an integral part of the Blakhawks' young defensive corps. This season will be big for that group as Connor Murphy remains the most experienced blueliner. You know have a young group when Alex Vlasic is considered a grizzled veteran these days.

“It’s exciting any time you can build with younger guys,” Rinzel said. “We want to grow up fast and win games.”

There is a long way to go before Levshunov and Rinzel hit their full potential, but today was another small step in the process.