Artem Zub Bio
Artyom Valerievich Zub, commonly known as Artem Zub, is a Russian professional ice hockey defenceman who plays for the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). Standing 188 cm tall and weighing 90 kg, Zub has built a reputation as a steady, defensively responsible blueliner since entering professional hockey in the early 2010s. He made his professional debut with Amur Khabarovsk in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) during the 2014–15 season and has since established himself as a skilled two-way player. Internationally, Zub has represented Russia at the highest levels, winning an Olympic gold medal as a member of the Olympic Athletes from Russia team at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang.
Early Life and Background
Artyom Valerievich Zub was born on 3 October 1995 in Khabarovsk, Russia. Khabarovsk, located in the Russian Far East near the border with China, is home to a strong hockey tradition, and the local club Amur Khabarovsk has long nurtured talent from the surrounding region. Growing up in this environment gave Zub early and consistent exposure to the sport, and he developed his game within a region known for producing resilient skaters accustomed to long travel and varied ice conditions.
As a youth, Zub played for Amurskie Tigry Khabarovsk, the junior affiliate of Amur Khabarovsk. The Tigers program served as the natural pipeline to the senior KHL roster, and it was there that Zub refined the fundamentals of his defensive game. His progress through the youth ranks earned him a path to professional hockey, setting the stage for his eventual debut with the parent club.
Path to Hockey
Zub’s journey to the professional ranks followed a steady, incremental path typical of players developed within the Russian hockey system. After progressing through the Amurskie Tigry Khabarovsk junior program, he signed his first professional deal with Amur Khabarovsk and made his KHL debut during the 2014–15 season. The transition from junior to professional hockey demanded an adjustment in pace and physicality, and Zub used his early KHL seasons to establish himself as a dependable, stay-at-home defenceman.
During the 2015–16 season, Zub was named the KHL Rookie of the Month for October, a recognition that highlighted his rapid development and his growing role within the Amur lineup. The following season, he posted 9 points in 32 games before being traded on 1 December 2016 to SKA Saint Petersburg, one of the KHL’s powerhouse clubs. The move to SKA marked a significant step up in competition and gave Zub the opportunity to test himself against some of the league’s top players while competing for championships.
Artem Zub Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Zub began his professional career with Amur Khabarovsk in the KHL during the 2014–15 season, where he gradually worked his way into a regular role on the team’s blue line. His development continued the following season, when his October 2015 performance earned him the KHL Rookie of the Month award. Those early years provided the foundation for his defensive game and gave him the experience needed to take the next step in his career.
In his third KHL season, 2016–17, Zub registered 9 points in 32 games for Amur before being traded to SKA Saint Petersburg on 1 December 2016. He immediately slotted into a regular role on the SKA defence, helping the club capture the Gagarin Cup that post-season. In his final season with SKA Saint Petersburg, Zub set career highs in the KHL with 13 goals and 22 points in 57 games, showcasing an offensive dimension that complemented his defensive strengths.
SKA Saint Petersburg Breakthrough (2016–2020)
Joining SKA Saint Petersburg transformed Zub’s career. One of the KHL’s most decorated franchises, SKA provided him with a larger platform and stronger teammates, and he responded with consistent performances on a contending blue line. The Gagarin Cup championship in his first partial season validated his growing reputation as a reliable defenceman capable of contributing to a title-winning team.
Across his time with SKA, Zub evolved from a depth defenceman into a top-four contributor. His career-high 13 goals and 22 points in 57 games during his final KHL season demonstrated a more complete game, blending shutdown defence with offensive contribution. His play in the KHL and at the international level drew the attention of NHL scouts, ultimately leading to his transition to North America.
Ottawa Senators Era (2020–Present)
On 1 May 2020, the Ottawa Senators signed Zub to a one-year NHL entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent, recognizing his potential despite his going unselected in previous drafts. He scored his first NHL goal on 15 February 2021 in a 6–5 overtime win against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. In his rookie NHL season, Zub was regularly paired on defence with Ottawa’s top defenceman Thomas Chabot and quickly established himself as the Senators’ best defensive defenceman.
On 14 May 2021, Zub signed a two-year, $5 million extension with the Senators, reflecting his importance to the team’s rebuild. On 21 December 2022, he was signed to a four-year, $18.4 million extension, securing his long-term future in Ottawa. The Canadian Tire Centre crowd took to chanting “Zuub” whenever he played the puck, a tradition Zub initially mistook for booing due to his limited English but grew to appreciate.
Notable Events and Milestones
Zub’s first NHL goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs in February 2021 stands as one of his signature early moments in North America. His four-year, $18.4 million contract extension in December 2022 marked the club’s long-term commitment to him as a cornerstone of their defence. Internationally, winning Olympic gold with the Olympic Athletes from Russia team in 2018 remains the most prestigious achievement of his career.
Artem Zub Career Wins
Across his professional career in both the KHL and the NHL, Zub has been part of winning teams and individual milestones that underscore his value as a top-four defenceman. His Gagarin Cup title with SKA Saint Petersburg and his Olympic gold medal in 2018 headline his list of championship-level accomplishments.
KHL Highlights
In the KHL, Zub’s most prominent team achievement came with SKA Saint Petersburg, where he helped the club win the Gagarin Cup following his mid-season trade during the 2016–17 campaign. Individually, he was named KHL Rookie of the Month for October 2015 and set career highs of 13 goals and 22 points in 57 games in his final KHL season. These performances established him as one of the more reliable young defencemen in the league before his move to the NHL.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond the KHL, Zub has been recognized for his international play with Russia. He won bronze medals at both the 2017 and 2019 IIHF World Championships, representing his country on the global stage. In the NHL, his consistent two-way play with the Ottawa Senators has positioned him as a long-term building block for the franchise.
Artem Zub Family
Personal Life
Artem Zub is known to be a private individual when it comes to his personal life. When he first arrived in Ottawa, his limited English led to a memorable misunderstanding when the Canadian Tire Centre crowd began chanting “Zuub” after he played the puck. He initially worried he was being booed, but teammates reassured him that it was a sign of fan appreciation, and he came to embrace the tradition.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Artem Zub remains a central figure on the Ottawa Senators’ blue line as the team continues its push toward playoff contention. Under the terms of his four-year, $18.4 million extension signed in December 2022, Zub is locked in as a top-four defenceman and a key partner for Thomas Chabot. The Senators’ defensive structure relies heavily on his ability to log tough minutes and provide stability in his own end.
Throughout the 2024–25 campaign, Zub has continued to deliver the steady, defence-first game that has defined his NHL career. His pairing with Chabot and his role on the penalty kill have been central to Ottawa’s efforts to climb the standings. As the season progresses, Zub’s consistency and experience are expected to remain critical factors in the Senators’ pursuit of a postseason berth.