Coyotes prospect Artyom Duda to play for Toronto Metropolitan University

Artyom Duda of Russian Federation shows his Gold medal during Men's 6-Team Tournament Gold Medal Game between Russia and United States of the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympics on January 22, 2021 in Lausanne, Switzerland. (RvS.Media/Basile Barbey/Getty Images)

Arizona Coyotes second-round pick Artyom Duda will join the Toronto Metropolitan University Bold for the second half of the season, the men’s hockey team confirmed Tuesday.

Ben Steiner of 49 Sports was first to report the move.

The Russian-born defenceman, 19, was hoping to play NCAA hockey at Maine, but Steiner reports his appeal was denied after Duda suited up for 14 KHL games for CSKA Moscow last season.

The Coyotes picked Duda 36th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

U Sports is not a traditional spot for top NHL prospects, but TMU presents a unique opportunity with the Bold getting an automatic entry into the national championship in March as host team.

The Bold (11-5) are third in the Ontario West conference standings.

The Bold also have one of Duda’s Russian Youth Olympic teammates, Daniil Grigroev, on their roster.

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