Utah HC signs TMU defenceman Artem Duda to three-year, entry-level contract

July 09, 2024 - 9:54pm

General manager Bill Armstrong, of the yet to be named NHL Utah hockey team, speaks during a news conference at the Delta Center Wednesday, April 24, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (Rick Bowmer/AP)

Toronto Metropolitan University is getting some representation in the NHL.

Defenceman Artem Duda signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Utah Hockey Club, according to agent Dan Milstein.

Duda, a second-round draft pick in 2022 by the then-Arizona Coyotes, finished last season at TMU after spending the 2022-23 season playing hockey in Russia.

In 12 games with the Bold last season, Duda scored two goals and seven points. TMU lost in the Ontario final and then finished fourth at nationals on home ice.

The 20-year-old joins the small contingent of U Sports athletes to play for an NHL organization, which includes the Stanley Cup-winning Logan Thompson.