The hockey world will be interested in Macklin Celebrini vs. Connor Bedard when the San Jose Sharks host the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday.
Celebrini vs. 2024 NHL Draft No. 2 overall pick Artyom Levshunov is an underrated storyline that isn’t being talked about.
Unlike Celebrini, Levshunov didn’t start with his NHL team and only recently made his debut for the Blackhawks on March 10th against the Colorado Avalanche.
Celebrini and Levshunov both went the NCAA route for their draft seasons. Levshunov attended and played for Michigan State University. The d-man wasn’t nominated in the 2024 top ten for the Hobey Baker award as the NCAA’s best player.
That season, the nominees included Celebrini, Will Smith, and Collin Graf. Celebrini won the award and became the youngest player to win it at 17.
Celebrini and Levshunov have played against each other for longer than just the NCAA. The duo were rivals in the USHL. Levshunov played for the Green Bay Gamblers, and Celebrini played for the Chicago Steel.
“I played against him in the USHL a bunch when he was on Green Bay. He’s a great player,” Celebrini said of Levshunov. “[He’s] big. Skates well. Smart. He has a really good shot. I think he’s a great player. He’s gonna be great for [the Blackhawks].”
Bedard and Celebrini will get most of the attention. Don’t sleep on the two rookies during Thursday night’s game between the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.
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