Artem Duda

June 2025 – It has been an abnormal road for Duda since being drafted in the second round back in 2022. After being denied NCAA eligibility to play with the University of Maine in 2023-24, Duda went to play for Toronto Metro University. This past season, Duda transitioned to North American pro hockey with the Tucson Roadrunners of the AHL. There, Duda was a solid two-way defenseman. He led all Roadrunners defensemen in plus/minus and was also third in points among defensemen. Duda consistently makes the right plays and ensures he keeps the puck out of his net. While he may not be creating as much as he could, his ability to do the right thing projects him as an NHL defender. He should take another year in Tucson before jumping to the NHL, but he could become an essential piece of a young Mammoth defensive core. James Connelly

July 2024- After one of the most unique develop years in recent memory, Duda has signed his ELC with Utah Hockey Club. Playing for Toronto Metropolitan University, he had two goals and seven points in 12 games, where he helped them reach the U Sports University Cup. While playing in the USports seems like a downgrade, the league is full of guys in their mid-20s who were top CHL players, including some who played a bit of pro in the AHL and ECHL. Also, some who were NHL draft picks and many who were rookie camp invites. By all accounts, Duda handled it very well, too, playing an important role for the Bold as their youngest player. The plan now seems to have him play for Tucson in 2024-25. Keith Duggan

January 2024- As things with University of Maine did not work out, Duda has moved on and is now playing with Toronto Metropolitan University. His agent orchestrated the move to TMU, as Canadian universities are not governed by the IIHF or NCAA, their eligibility rules are more lenient. Also, TMU forward Daniil Grigorev played with Duda the past four seasons in Russia. While he worked out and practiced at Maine, Duda had not seen game action since an international tournament for Russia in May. An event where he ended up sustaining a concussion. The Coyotes could sign their 2022 second-round pick as early this May when his contract in Russia is supposed to expire. Keith Duggan

December 2023- Duda will never get the chance to play for University of Maine’s hockey team. He had his last appeal for eligibility rejected by the NCAA. Duda had been attending UMaine and practicing with the Black Bears during the fall semester but has left school to presumably pursue his professional career. Where that is has not been decided yet. The school had appealed the NCAA’s ineligibility ruling on Duda’s behalf on three occasions, but each time was rejected. The university did not reveal the reasons given by the NCAA, but it’s believed to be because during Duda’s young career one of the several Russian leagues he played in was the KHL, which is Russia’s pro league. Players who appear in professional games are deemed professionals in the eyes of the NCAA and the prohibits them from playing college sports. Keith Duggan

October 2023- The University of Maine is still awaiting word from NCAA on the eligibility of Duda. UMaine head coach Ben Barr said eligibility questions have nothing to do with academics. While no one has come out and said it, the eligibility issues probably have to do with Duda playing professionally in Russia last year. While waiting for the NCAA’s decision, Duda is currently taking classes at UMaine and practicing with the team. Barr and members of UMaine’s compliance department are working with the NCAA on his case. Keith Duggan

June 2023- In a move no one saw coming this offseason, the University of Maine announced that Duda would be joining the team for the upcoming season. This is a great sign for the Coyotes 2022 second-round pick, as getting Russian players to North America can be a challenge recently. His willingness to transition to North America bodes well for Arizona. Plus, he will adjust playing on North American ice and will be able to get more playing time against his peers rather than spot time in the KHL. Duda spent most of 2022-23 in the KHL, where he suited up for 14 contests with CSKA Moscow. There he had three assists seeing little playing time in some games. Duda also saw three scoreless games in the VHL with Zvezda Moskva. It was with Krasnaya Armiya Moskva in the MHL where he really showed his offensive chops. Duda racked up five goals and eight assists in 14 games. Keith Duggan

October 2022- Duda has been outstanding in the MHL, racking up nine points in 12 games, earning a recall to KHL squad CSKA Moscow. There, like many young players in the KHL he has not seen a lot of playing time but going up against bigger, faster more talented players has been good for his development. Duda has one assist in four KHL games. Keith Duggan

July 2022 – The Arizona Coyotes have selected Duda in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft, 36th overall. Nick Richard

May 2022 – Duda had an excellent season in the MHL, leading all draft-eligible defenders with 14 goals and 41 points in 52 games for Moscow’s junior side. He stepped it up even further in the playoffs, adding 17 points in 18 postseason matches for his squad.

A great skater with solid offensive instincts, Duda was often used as the team’s point-man on the power play, where he put his mobility, execution speed and accurate shot to use on a regular basis. He was also good at breaking the puck out of his zone, and shows some poise in possession to cut back across the grain and find better passing lanes with forecheckers on his back. His intensity can waver at times, and he struggles with defending while skating backwards, but the offensive promise is there, and Duda could end up manning an NHL man-advantage with enough time and patience.  His 6-foot-1 frame should fill out quite well, which will help him with board battles and contested pucks. A top-four role down the line is the ceiling, but there are improvements needed in his game to see that come to fruition. A great long-term project to have in the pipeline. Hadi Kalakeche