Artem Shlaine Bio
Artem Shlaine is a Russian professional ice hockey centre who currently plays for the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League (AHL). Born on March 7, 2002, in Moscow, Russia, Shlaine developed his game in North America and rose through the United States college hockey system before turning professional in 2025. A fifth-round selection of the New Jersey Devils in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft, he has been recognized for his face-off work, two-way reliability, and offensive growth across multiple NCAA programs.
Early Life and Background
Shlaine was born in Moscow, Russia, to parents Dmitri and Ekaterina Shlaine, and grew up alongside a brother named Daniel. His family background in Moscow placed him in a country with a deep tradition of ice hockey, and his early development reflected that environment as he pursued the sport at a competitive level.
Seeking elite development opportunities in North America, Shlaine attended Shattuck-Saint Mary’s, a renowned preparatory school in Faribault, Minnesota, known for producing top hockey talent. The school environment gave him structured coaching, high-level competition, and exposure to NHL scouting, helping shape his identity as a responsible centre with strong face-off skills.
Path to Hockey
Shlaine’s draft year arrived in 2020, when the New Jersey Devils selected him 130th overall in the fifth round of the NHL Entry Draft. The selection affirmed his potential as a pro prospect and set the stage for his transition into the NCAA ranks.
Originally committing to Boston University, Shlaine ultimately chose the University of Connecticut, where he began his freshman season in 2020–21. He recorded one goal and eight assists in 23 games, immediately standing out as a face-off specialist by leading the Huskies and Hockey East with a 60.2 percent face-off win percentage, winning 162 draws. He continued to develop during his sophomore year in 2021–22, posting seven goals and ten assists in 36 games while again leading Connecticut in face-off percentage at 57.6 percent, which laid the foundation for his transfer trajectory.
Artem Shlaine Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Shlaine’s earliest collegiate chapter unfolded at Connecticut, where he served as a dependable two-way centre. His freshman campaign established him as one of the top face-off men in Hockey East, while his sophomore season showed growth in offensive production, signaling that he could contribute as more than just a specialist.
Seeking a new challenge and expanded role, Shlaine entered the transfer portal in June 2022 and committed to Northern Michigan. The move positioned him in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and gave him a larger platform to showcase his complete skill set.
Northern Michigan Era (2022–2024)
During the 2022–23 season at Northern Michigan, Shlaine elevated his production, recording 11 goals and 21 assists in 38 games as a junior. His playmaking vision and poise with the puck drew league-wide attention and helped anchor the Wildcats’ offensive structure.
In his senior season of 2023–24, Shlaine added ten goals and 13 assists in 27 games, while leading the Wildcats with 315 face-off wins and pacing the CCHA with a 58.8 percent face-off win percentage. On November 10, 2023, against Lake Superior State, he notched his first career hat-trick, a milestone that highlighted his goal-scoring ceiling and marked a defining moment of his Northern Michigan tenure.
Arizona State Era (2024–2025)
On April 10, 2024, Shlaine transferred to Arizona State for a graduate season, bringing veteran leadership to a rising program. He missed the first six games of the season due to injury but returned to deliver the strongest statistical season of his collegiate career.
In 2024–25, he posted 17 goals and 21 assists in 31 games and earned All-NCHC First Team honors along with AHCA West Second Team All-American recognition, becoming only the second player in Arizona State program history to receive All-American distinction. He was also named a finalist for both the NCHC Player of the Year and NCHC Forward of the Year, cementing his status as one of the conference’s premier centres.
Driving Style and Strengths
Shlaine’s identity as a player is built on face-off dominance, responsible two-way play, and steady offensive growth. His ability to win draws at rates above 57 percent across multiple seasons reflects his preparation and strength in the circles, while his assist totals show the vision and patience needed to quarterback a power play. He pairs those traits with a mature defensive game, making him a coach-friendly centre in every zone.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his first career hat-trick against Lake Superior State in November 2023, Shlaine’s milestones include his 2020 NHL Draft selection by the New Jersey Devils, his All-American recognition at Arizona State, and his transition to professional hockey with the Texas Stars in March 2025. Each step has marked a steady progression from Moscow-born prospect to established AHL centre.
Artem Shlaine Career Wins
As a centre whose value has been measured more in face-off wins, assists, and all-star recognition than in goal-scoring titles, Shlaine’s résumé is defined by statistical achievements and conference honors rather than championship trophies. His collegiate career featured four seasons of increasing production, capped by All-American and All-NCHC recognition in his graduate year.
Collegiate Highlights
Across his NCAA stops at Connecticut, Northern Michigan, and Arizona State, Shlaine produced 45 goals and 73 assists in 155 games, while leading his teams and conferences in face-off percentage during multiple seasons. His first collegiate win as a point-producer came during his freshman year at Connecticut, while his most recent standout performance was a 38-point graduate campaign at Arizona State in 2024–25 that earned him All-American honors.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of his NCAA tenure, Shlaine’s professional arrival began when he signed an Amateur Tryout agreement with the Texas Stars on March 31, 2025, joining the New Jersey Devils’ AHL affiliate. His pathway through Shattuck-Saint Mary’s and the NHL Draft rounds out a résumé built on development and consistency rather than trophy counts.
Artem Shlaine Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Shlaine was raised in Moscow by his father, Dmitri Shlaine, and his mother, Ekaterina Shlaine, alongside his brother Daniel. While his parents are not public figures in professional sports, his family’s support enabled his move to North America for elite hockey development at Shattuck-Saint Mary’s.
Personal Life
Shlaine keeps his personal life private, with no public information available about a spouse or children. His focus remains on his transition to professional hockey with the Texas Stars and his continued development within the New Jersey Devils organization.
2025 Season Performance
Shlaine’s 2025 calendar began with the conclusion of a record-setting graduate season at Arizona State, where his 38 points in 31 games earned All-NCHC First Team and AHCA West Second Team All-American honors. His strong finish to the college year made him one of the most talked-about free-agent signings among NCAA seniors, and his face-off consistency continued to draw attention from NHL organizations.
On March 31, 2025, he signed an Amateur Tryout agreement with the Texas Stars, the AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils, officially launching his professional career. The move aligned him with the organization that originally drafted him in 2020 and gave him a direct pathway to NHL opportunity.
As the 2025–26 AHL season approaches, Shlaine is expected to compete for a top-nine role with the Texas Stars and to continue refining his two-way game under the Devils’ development system. Given his face-off pedigree, recent All-American form, and prior scoring growth, he enters his first full professional campaign as a centre to watch within the Devils’ pipeline.