It was announced on Tuesday that Coyotes defensive prospect Artem Duda is officially committed to Toronto Metropolitan University. This news is way more significant than many people may actually think. Canadian university level hockey is generally not seen as a route that many players take on their way into the NHL. There are the rare expectations including Luke Philip, Zach Sawchenko and Logan Thompson, who all took the Canadian U approach. Generally though, young prospects go to the NCAA or play in junior hockey leagues. Since Duda was ineligible to play in the NCAA, CHL or USHL, that opened the door for him to join a Canadian university. The Coyotes selected Duda in the second round of the 2022 NHL Draft and he has since played for a variety of different Russian leagues. 20231227_PostGame_Tourigny_FTP Duda’s commitment to TMU can be a turning point for Canadian universities specifically with Russians in the future who are also ineligible to take other paths. If Duda is really able to thrive at TMU and create a pathway into professional hockey, it may open the eyes of many young prospects that going the Canadian U path may benefit them down the road.
