Artyom Duda was one of the Arizona Coyotes’ more intriguing picks at the 2022 NHL Entry Drafted. Drafted 36th overall, the 6’1″ Russian defenseman was a sneaky good pick for General Manager Bill Armstrong. He didn’t have the name recognition some prospects had, but scouts seemed to like him, and given the Coyotes’ lack of defensive depth, he became a player to watch.
After being drafted, Duda split the season between Krasnaya Armiya Moskva in the MHL, Zvezda Moskva in the VHL, and CSKA Moskva in the KHL. He registered three assists in 14 games in the KHL, was held off the scoresheet in three games in the VHL, and had five goals and eight assists in 14 games in the MHL.
It can be a waiting game for overseas players, but thankfully we won’t have to wait long to see what Duda can do in North America. Today the University of Maine announced that Duda would be joining the team for the upcoming season.
As an NCAA player, Duda is not eligible to sign an entry-level contract. But his willingness to transition to North America bodes well for the Coyotes when they look to sign him in the next few years. Duda will also get time to adjust to North American ice, and fans will get a chance to keep a closer eye on one of the team’s most important prospects.