Artem Duda Joins University of Toronto Club and NCAA Challenge
Artem Duda, a 19-year-old Russian hockey player, signed a contract with the Toronto-based university club. The announcement appeared on the team’s X page, signaling another step in a rapid rise through professional ranks.
According to the club’s press service, the contract was formalized with a player who had previously been selected by the Arizona Coyotes in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft. The team highlighted Duda’s draft selection as a key milestone in his career and noted that this agreement aligns with the Coyotes’ evaluation of his potential.
On December 17, Duda faced a setback when the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) banned him from the US Collegiate League. The NCAA rejected his appeal seeking permission to play for the University of Maine, a school he joined in mid-2023 after moving to the United States under a contract with CSKA Moscow. This turn required the player and his new program to reassess eligibility and schedule, while Duda continued to work toward meeting academic and athletic requirements in a new environment.
Tracing Duda’s development, he began skating with the CSKA Moscow system, progressing from the club’s youth ranks in the 2020/21 season to a role in the VHL with the Zvezda farm team by January 2022. His on-ice leadership and versatile forward play earned him opportunities to compete at higher levels within the Russian hockey system.
Summer 2022 marked a pivotal moment as Duda was drafted by the Arizona Coyotes in the NHL Entry Draft. The following months saw him step into competition in Russia’s top leagues, with tenure in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) beginning in October 2022. A notable highlight came on October 21 during a CSKA home game against Avtomobilist, when Duda scored his first KHL goal and added an assist, underscoring his potential as a two-way contributor with scoring instincts.
As his career moved across continents, questions arose about how his experiences in Russia would translate to North American hockey and collegiate play. Duda’s path illustrates the increasingly international nature of hockey development, where young players navigate professional leagues abroad, pursue collegiate opportunities, and balance eligibility with sport-specific demands. His journey also reflects the ongoing dialogue between professional teams and college programs about player development timelines and the role of NCAA eligibility in shaping long-term career trajectories.
In a broader sense, Duda’s case highlights the interplay between major junior training, European professional leagues, and American college hockey. For scouts, coaches, and fans, the focus remains on how a young forward can adapt to different playing styles, travel schedules, and academic commitments while contributing on the ice. The evolving landscape of North American college hockey often involves complex eligibility considerations, transfers, and the negotiation of which path best serves a player’s growth and long-term professional goals.
While the specifics of Duda’s eligibility status and future participation in NCAA competition continue to unfold, his early career demonstrates a blend of international experience, draft pedigree, and a willingness to pursue higher levels of competition. Observers will watch closely to see how his development progresses in the Canadian context and whether his North American stint translates into productivity, leadership, and sustained impact for his team on both league and collegiate platforms. [Citation: Team press release; NCAA eligibility decisions]