Top Russian Prospect Escapes to Play in the NCAA

Arizona Coyotes 2022 2nd-round draft pick Artyom Duda will be leaving the Russian pro ranks next season in order to play for the University of Maine. This is a move we very rarely see, as Russian players almost never leave Russia for a North American league that isn't the NHL or AHL, especially not for the NCAA.

Usually, when we think of top college hockey schools, UMaine isn't one of the first to come to mind. Even in their NCAA division, Hockey East, there are powerhouse schools such as Boston University, Boston College, Northeastern, and the UMass schools. For UMaine to get such a massive commitment, especially under the circumstances Duda was in, is quite impressive.

It's well known that players who belong to Major Junior clubs such as those found in the QMJHL, OHL, and WHL, lose their eligibility. The rules are slightly different for players in Europe, but any player who signs a professional contract, whether it be in the KHL, SHL, Liiga, or any other professional Euro league, will have their NCAA eligibility voided.

Duda played 14 games in the KHL this season, which should've by all accounts cost him his NCAA eligibility, right?

Nope.

While Duda did see some time in Russia's two top leagues (The KHL and VHL), he was not signed to a professional contract. Instead, Duda was on a loan to those teams from his MHL club. The MHL is the top junior league in Russia, and MHL players like Duda are usually signed to junior contracts, thus keeping his NCAA eligibility alive.

This is a really nice pickup for UMaine, and thankfully the cards aligned just right to make it work.

As Seen on Markerzone - BREAKING: Top Draft Pick Escapes Russia to Play in the NCAA