Michigan State star Levshunov could go as high as No. 2 in Friday's NHL Draft

Artyom Levshunov is preparing to become one of the highest-drafted players in Michigan State hockey history on Friday night.

Levshunov, an 18-year-old defenseman from Belarus, is expected to go in the top five picks of the 2024 NHL Draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas.

Levshunov is coming off a freshman season in which he produced nearly a point per game for the Spartans, scoring nine goals and collecting 26 assists in 38 games while leading the Big Ten with a plus-27. He was named the Big Ten's Newcomer of the Year, Defenseman of the Year and was a First Team All-Big Ten selection.

Levshunov is in Las Vegas as he waits to hear how soon his name will be called Friday.

"It's a different world here (in Vegas), a lot of casinos, but it's cool and fun to be here," Levshunov said on the phone Wednesday. "I can't wait until the draft. I had a lot of interest at the combine, and I've had a lot of good talks with teams. It feels more real now being here, but this will be a special moment in my life and I'm looking forward to it."

Macklin Celebrini, a star forward for Boston University, is the overwhelming consensus choice among draft experts to be selected No. 1 by the San Jose Sharks. Levshunov could go as high as No. 2 overall to the Chicago Blackhawks. If Chicago passes on Levshunov, the Anaheim Ducks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Montreal Canadiens and Utah Hockey Club are the next four teams in the draft order.

Levshunov, who will be the seventh MSU player ever drafted in the first round, will be the first Spartan skater to go in Round 1 since defenseman A.J. Thelen was picked 12th overall in the 2004 draft. Only two MSU players have been drafted in the top five — forward Craig Simpson went second overall in the 1985 draft to Pittsburgh and forward Joe Murphy was taken No. 1 by Detroit in 1986.

NHL teams immediately noticed Levshunov's ability to create offense from the blue line during his time at MSU. Standing at 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, he has the ideal frame for a right-shot defenseman that scouts are looking for.

In his one season, he helped lead the Spartans to Big Ten regular-season and tournament championships and to within one game of the NCAA's Frozen Four.

"When I came to college, I learned a lot and improved a lot. This past season was very special for me," Levshunov said. "I got a lot of experience and college hockey helped me on the ice and in my life. I think teams like my game on offense, but (they want me) to work on the defense and play more consistently on the ice."

Levshunov's mother and brother traveled from Belarus last month to see him in the NHL Combine and are now with him in Las Vegas for the draft. It had almost been a full year since Levshunov had seen them in person, marking a special moment for the teen before he finds out his future team.

"They spent one week in Florida with me and came in last night to be here with me for the draft," Levshunov said. "It's super exciting. The (MSU) coaches will come tomorrow and it will be a lot of fun."

Depending on what team selects Levshunov, he could find himself back in East Lansing for a second season with the Spartans. Some NHL teams prefer their draft picks continue to develop in college or in junior hockey or Europe before entering the pro ranks. If not, the team that drafts Levshunov would likely have him report to its American Hockey League minor league affiliate for his first pro season.

"We'll see, I have to be drafted first and then after that," Levshunov said. "At this point, I'm in college, but we'll see how the draft goes and what comes after that. It's hard to say now. There were a lot of good conversations with all the teams I talked to and we'll see what they plan for me."

The NHL Draft begins at 7 p.m. Friday, June 28 at 7 pm. and will be broadcast on ESPN and the NHL Network.

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott