Artem Zub
A steady, defensive rock on the Ottawa Senators' blue line who made the leap from the KHL to become a reliable NHL minute-muncher.
Born 1995 (age 31)·Russian ice hockey player·Birthday: October 3·Millennials
Biography
Artem Zub's path to the NHL was not that of a hyped draft pick, but of a late-blooming craftsman who perfected his game in Russia's Kontinental Hockey League. Playing for his hometown team, SKA St. Petersburg, he developed into a defensively sound, physically strong defender known for his smart positioning and hard shot. His breakout performance for the Russian Olympic Athletes at the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where he won a gold medal, put him on the NHL radar. Signed by the Ottawa Senators as a free agent, he quickly became a fixture on their back end, valued for his consistency and ability to shut down opposing forwards. Zub represents the success story of the modern global hockey market—a player who arrived fully formed and immediately contributed to an NHL team's core.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Artem was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Artem Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Artem's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won an Olympic gold medal with the Russian Olympic Athletes team at the 2018 Winter Games in PyeongChang.
- Signed an NHL contract with the Ottawa Senators as an undrafted free agent out of the KHL in 2020.
- Played a top-four defensive role for SKA St. Petersburg, one of the KHL's premier teams, before coming to North America.
- Recorded his first NHL point, an assist, in his debut game for the Ottawa Senators.
Did You Know?
He played his entire KHL career, over 200 games, for just one club: SKA St. Petersburg.
He was 25 years old when he made his NHL debut, older than many rookie defensemen.
His first NHL goal was a game-winning goal against the Montreal Canadiens.
He shares a surname with the Russian word for 'tooth' (зуб), a common source of fan puns in Ottawa.
“My game is simple: defend our net, move the puck, and be reliable.”
