Player Profile: Artyum Zub, Back for Another Tour of Duty

Artyom Zub will be back for the Senators next season, signing a 2-year $5 million contract last month. Zub will earn $1.75 million during the 2021-22 season and $3.25 million in 2022-23.

In his first NHL season, Zub was signed as a free agent to a one-year, entry-level contract with the Senators. In the 47 games he played, Zub had 3 goals and 11 assists, totalling 14 points.

Artem is a smart defensive defenceman who moves the puck well and who utilizes his strength and mobility to make plays,” said Sens' GM Pierre Dorion. “His extensive international resume helped him transition to a North American style of play, but his key attribute is his sound ability to defend."

This re-signing also benefits the Senators because Zub reads plays well and is strong on his feet.

Prior to playing in the NHL, Zub played in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) from 2014-2020. With St. Petersburg SKA, Zub played 57 games where he put up 13 goals and 22 points.

Zub also played for Russia in the 2018 Olympics where he helped bring home gold to his country. That same year, Zub won bronze at the World Championship. And, in 2020, he won the KHL's Best Plus/Minus award.

Moving from Russia to Canada was a big adjustment for Zub. Right before joining the NHL, Zub hired a tutor to help him learn English. He also watches Late Night with Jimmy Fallon with his wife Evgeniia for extra practice.

Zub has also had to adjust to the time difference. This makes it difficult for him to keep in contact with his older brother and parents

“We have a big-time difference right now,” said Zub. “When I have evening, they have morning. When they wake up usually around 6 or 7 p.m. my time, we call and talk.”

During the summer, while Zub is not training for next season with the Senators, he is going to continue adjusting to Ottawa by spending his free time taking walks with his wife, playing video games, reading books, and practicing the keyboard.

Zub started playing hockey when he was 6 years old. He and his father would regularly go to hockey games together, which is where he asked his father to sign him up. However, hockey wasn’t the only sport Zub was interested in – he also enjoyed gymnastics. After doing both gymnastics and hockey for a year, he was told to pick one and as you can guess, he chose hockey.

Moving forward, the Senators will come back next season even stronger as Zub continues to settle into his new life in Ottawa and find his place as an Ottawa Senator.

By Hannah Sheehan | Sens Nation Hockey

Hannah Sheehan is a Communication and Media studies major at Carleton University