Artyom Levshunov

November 2023 – Coming off of an amazing D-1 in Green Bay, Levshunov has taken the NCAA by storm. As a 17-year-old, Levshunov is currently tied for 5th among scoring for defensemen across the NCAA, and his current point-a-game clip is on pace to be something that has not been emulated since the early 1980s. Watching him, it’s not hard to see why. He’s a natural triple-threat, able to punish opposing defences with his great mobility, playmaking and shot. The former two being particular strengths in his game, Levshunov is simply fantastic on the puck. However, what’s made him so successful at the collegiate level has to be his athletic IQ. He’s very calculating in how he controls his body, always planning ahead so as to take not only the most effective but also the most efficient course of action. It’s a tough balancing act and at times leads to Levshunov being less engaged defensively or making a bone-headed decision, but it does wonders for his NHL translatability. It’s very hard not to foresee, at minimum, a top-4 NHL job in his future. David Saad (November Rankings: 10th Overall)