The Chicago Blackhawks call up No. 2 overall pick Artyom Levshunov but just to practice

The Chicago Blackhawks have called up Artyom Levshunov, the second-overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft. 

While Blackhawks fans may be ecstatic about the chance of seeing the organization’s top prospect in NHL action, that is unlikely to happen.

General manager Kyle Davidson explained that this move was meant to allow Levshunov to get the practice reps he missed out on during training camp while the AHL pauses for its All-Star break. 

The Belarusian currently has three goals and 13 points in 38 games with the Rockford IceHogs. The team has been pleased with Levshunov’s development thus far and even acquired fellow countrymen and friend Dmitri Kuzmin to ease his transition to pro hockey. 

If Levshunov impresses during this brief stint with Chicago, he will likely be in line for a late-season NHL call-up following the trade deadline. 

Louis Crevier was placed on injured reserve to make room for Levshunov on the NHL roster.