CHICAGO — Artyom Levshunov can’t believe the size of the strawberry shortcake in front of him.The 20-year-old Chicago Blackhawks defenseman isn’t too far removed from burning calories at that morning’s workout, but he can’t envision finishing the shortcake that measures nearly a foot high.“I think we should share this,” Levshunov says with a laugh. “Look at this plate. I’m not going to eat too much.”And he didn’t. The youthfulness behind the order was balanced by his commitment to fitness and his role as a professional hockey player that kept him from devouring it all. He ate about a quarter of the cake before retiring his fork, then quickly declined when offered some to take home.This has been the summer of Levshunov in Chicago. He had originally planned to split his summer between Florida and Chicago, but after a short time in Florida after the Blackhawks season, he decided it was best to spend a majority of the summer in Chicago. He’s been training three to four days a week on and off the ice. When away from the rink, he has seen the city, eaten at some of his favorite restaurants (including Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, where he had the strawberry shortcake), hung out with teammates and got together with some Russian and Belarusian Chicagoans he’s met over the last few years. He was hoping to get in some golfing and fishing by the end of the summer.South Florida has become a home away from home for Levshunov. It’s where he spent all his summers since leaving Belarus in 2022. He had gotten comfortable there and was surrounded by many players from Belarus and Russia. It felt like a community. But Levshunov knew coming to Chicago this summer was in his best interest. He left Belarus at 16 — he hasn’t been back since — with the singular goal of playing in the NHL. He’s already met that mark; he’s played in 86 NHL games for the Blackhawks, but he recognizes he still has a ways to go before being the type of NHL defenseman he wants to be.After five different home cities in four years, Levshunov is staying put in Chicago in pursuit of consistency and the next step in his development.“I have to take that (step),” Levshunov said. “I have to. I should take it. Every year, it’s about getting better than last year.”Last season was up and down for Levshunov.For stretches, he looked like the promising offensive defenseman the Blackhawks thought he could be when drafting him with the No. 2 pick in 2024. Other times, he was a defensive liability who seemed lost on the ice. He was one of the youngest defensemen in the NHL over the last two seasons. He’s played more NHL games than any defenseman drafted in 2023, 2024 or 2025. But with that NHL exposure at such an early age, he’s had to deal with adversity.It’s nothing he didn’t expect.“Of course, I saw this,” Levshunov said. “But it’s crazy, the league … yeah, obviously, it’s not easy. It’s the best players in this league. But when you get more experience every game, of course, you feel a little bit better. You feel comfortable. You feel way better. You get used to it, the league.”Levshunov never focuses on the negatives. He can’t stop and feel sorry for himself. Instead, he learns from what happened, moves on and improves. He concentrates on getting better, which is what this summer has been about. He’s continued his work with Blackhawks director of skill development Brian Keane, and they’ve focused on improving his shot and making him mobile by tinkering with his skating technique. Levshunov said he’s done a lot of stretching to increase hip movement.“I’m getting more flexible,” Levshunov said. “I’m getting more mobility. You can move better on the ice. I’m not wasting energy, power. It’s small, small details.”