Two Big Ten Players Go in First Round of 2024 NHL Draft

Artyom Levshunov MSU / Michael Hage, MICH
Photos: Jayson Hajdu / College Hockey Inc.


LAS VEGAS — Two players with ties to the Big Ten Conference were chosen in the first round of the 2024 Upper Deck NHL Draft held Friday at sold-out Sphere.

Michigan State's Artyom Levshunov went second overall to the Chicago Blackhawks, becoming the eighth top-five selection since the Big Ten Hockey Conference started play in 2013-14. Levshunov was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and an All-Big Ten First Team selection as a freshman last season.

Incoming Michigan freshman Michael Hage was selected 21st overall by the Montreal Canadiens. He skated this past season with the USHL Chicago Steel. Hage will become the 34th first-rounder to compete in the Big Ten.

The NHL Draft continues Saturday (11:30 a.m. ET) with rounds two through seven. The NHL Network will provide broadcast coverage.

In addition to the Draft, it has been a busy week of accolades for Big Ten players competing in the NHL. Michigan's Quinn Hughes captured the Norris Trophy as the league's top defenseman and was named to the NHL All-Star First Team while on May 28 Notre Dame's Anders Lee received the King Clancy Memorial Trophy for on-ice leadership and humanitarian contributions in the community. Minnesota Golden Gophers Logan Cooley and Brock Faber along with Michigan's Luke Hughes were named to the NHL All-Rookie Team. Gopher Kyle Okposo and Wolverine Will Lockwood helped the Florida Panthers to the Stanley Cup championship while Michigan's Zach Hyman scored 16 goals for Edmonton to lead all players during the Stanley Cup playoffs.