Written By Blake Hanlin
There are various past examples of NHL talent on the U SPORTS stage, but in 2024, the list has the potential to grow larger.
It was first reported on December 26th that Arizona Coyotes prospect Artyom Duda committed to the TMU Bold.
The 19-year-old Russian defenceman was drafted in the second round with the 36th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft.
Previously committed to the NCAA’s University of Maine, Duda saw a more significant opportunity in U SPORTS to not just team up with his former 2020 Winter Youth Olympics teammate Daniil Grigoryev, but also compete on the national stage for a National Championship with the Bold.
The unforeseen addition of Duda to the U SPORTS men's hockey talent pool begs a reflection of former U SPORTS athletes who have recently made their mark on hockey's biggest stage.
Logan Thompson
The former Brock netminder has built a formidable name for himself in his young 81-game career.
In his 2022-23 campaign, Thompson was named an NHL All-Star representative for the Vegas Golden Knights. His prowess between the pipes in the first half earned him Calder Trophy consideration for the league's best rookie. Yet, injuries ruined that hope, shutting him down for the rest of the year just after the All-Star break.
A silver lining in Thompson's season was statistical prowess, with a .915 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.65 goals against average (GAA). Even though his season was cut short, his contributions in the regular season helped the Vegas Golden Knights take home the Stanley Cup in 2023, marking a U SPORTS athlete who has their name etched on the Cup.
Derek Ryan
Now, how about a 9-year veteran who has the pleasure of lacing up his skates every night alongside Connor McDavid?
Ryan is an alumnus of the Alberta Golden Bears, playing 4 strong seasons and contributing to a David Johnston Cup in 2008. In 109 games played for the University of Alberta, Ryan tallied 146 points with the green and gold. His play earned him an opportunity to play professionally in Europe after his university days.
To this date, Ryan has managed to play over 500 games for three NHL clubs, the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, and currently with the Edmonton Oilers. Although growing up in Spokane, Washington, the centerman has made a name for himself as icon in Alberta, representing the province on both the U SPORTS and NHL level.
Joel Ward
Recently retiring from the NHL, the former University of Prince Edward Island right winger built an impressive NHL career from his roots with the Panthers.
Averaging above a point-per-game for all 4 seasons in the AUS led to Ward earning a spot on an AHL roster with the Houston Aeros in 2005.
Ward worked his way through the minors and reached his potential as a solidified NHL player. Through 726 games with the Minnesota Wild, Nashville Predators, Washington Capitals, and San Jose Sharks, Ward recorded 304 points with two 20+ goal seasons in his career.
You can now catch the UPEI alumnus behind the bench as an assistant coach for the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the Vegas Golden Knights.
Artyom Duda
Although Duda has yet to crack the Coyotes roster, his potential speaks for itself. The young athlete already has 14 games under his belt in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) for CSKA Moscow, the same team Pavel Datsyuk and many other NHL players have suited up for.
Duda can achieve what these three NHL players accomplished and more in Canadian University hockey. As the Bold are set to host the 2024 U SPORTS Men’s Hockey Nationals, guaranteeing them a spot in the tournament, Duda and his team can reach immortality by winning the David Johnston Cup on home ice.
Capitalizing on this tremendous opportunity can help fast-track Duda's career to the NHL, where he holds the prospect of becoming another example of a U SPORTS product paving their way onto hockey's grandest stage.
