No. 2: Defenseman Artyom Levshunov

Artyom Levshunov wished his father could have been there for his moment, when the Blackhawks selected the Michigan State defenseman with the No. 2 pick.

“Unfortunately he’s not here because he passed away,” said Levshunov, whose father’s death was related to COVID-19. His mother and brother attended the draft in Las Vegas.

“He was supposed to be here on this day to see me. But one time he told me, ‘Just be yourself, stay strong and you will be good.'”

Strength was one of the attributes that enticed the Hawks.

“I was waiting for this for 18 years. Finally, I’m somewhere. Not somewhere — in Chicago,” Levshunov said minutes after he was selected Friday at Sphere. “Feels real now. Now it feels like a dream come true.

“I was thinking about them because we had a good conversation throughout the season and at the combine, they came to Buffalo, with our agency camp (in Florida), they came to talk with me, (and) we went for lunch. … I’m happy that Chicago picked me.”

Levshunov’s former team members at Michigan State said he has a great sense of humor. Hawks officials called him “engaging.”

Levshunov summed up his personality, thusly: “I fish. I like fishing, actually. I fish for carp. Pike too.”

But first order of business: Development camp for prospects. “I can’t wait to get to Chicago.”

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