Former Minot Minotauros forward and current member of the USHL’s Omaha Lancers Artem Prima was selected in the seventh round of the NHL Draft by the Utah Mammoth on Saturday, June 27. Prima played in 28 games with the Tauros last season, recording 26 points on eight goals and 18 assists. Mike Kraft/MDN

From Yekaterinburg, Russia, to Philadelphia, Penn., to Minot, N.D. to Omaha, Neb., Artem Prima’s hockey journey has called two counties, and three U.S. cities home, spanning over 7,600 miles.

He’s had to overcome language barriers, culture changes and differing styles of hockey during his time in the sport, but has managed to topple those obstacles like a professional. As a result, he caught the eyes of the professional leagues, specifically the NHL’s Utah Mammoth.

The NHL’s newest franchise made Prima their final selection, taking the former Minot Minotauro and current Omaha Lancer in the seventh round with the 211th overall pick.

“It means a lot,” Tauros coach and general manager Cody Campbell said. “When I saw that come across, it was an exciting moment for our organization and everybody that’s involved, from billets, to our volunteers, to our booster club and the entire hockey staff and front office. It’s a cool moment. The player does all the work and Artem has earned this most definitely. It’s cool to have been part of his process to this point and we like to think we played a role in getting him to where he is where he’s getting drafted in the National Hockey League.”

Prima was at home surrounded by friends and family when his name appeared on screen next to the Mammoth logo for everyone across the globe tuning into the draft coverage to see.

“It’s an incredible feeling,” Prima said. “I’m very happy and grateful to the Utah Mammoth for believing in me and selecting me. It’s a huge honor and a dream that’s starting to come true.”

The Tauros selected Prima in the third round of the 2025 NAHL Entry Draft with the 97th overall pick. Prior to coming over to the states from his hometown of Yekaterinburg, Russia, Prima played with the Yunost Yekaterinburg U16 and U17 teams in 2023-24, and the AKM Novomoskovsk U17 program for a short period of time in 2024-25 before joining the Black Bear Academy 16U AAA program in Philadelphia, Penn., later that season.

Moving from one country to another is tough for anybody, but especially for a teenager. Prima leaned on his support system to make the transition period a bit easier.

“It was tough at first, but my friends, teammates and family helped make the move easier for me,” Prima said.

Prima appeared in 55 games with the Black Bear Academy, tallying 39 points on 16 goals and 23 assists. He took his talents to the Midwest the following year after being selected by the Minotauros.

“We kind of found out about him before the draft last year,” Campbell said. “We knew he had exceptional talent and ability and was just kind of hidden on a midget program that wasn’t the most visible in the country but was a really good talent. He got here and it was very evident the day that he got here that his talent and ability were significant. He put a lot of work in. Artem was really good about learning the defensive side of the puck and learning how to use his offensive ability also and give himself more opportunity to play offense.”

Prima played in 28 games with the Tauros last season, registering 26 points on eight goals and 18 assists. He scored his first NAHL goal in just his second game, lighting the lamp against North Iowa on Sept. 20, 2025. He had two multi-goal games and eight multi-point games. He had a career-high four assists in a game against Aberdeen and had two other contests in which he finished with three assists.

“I gained invaluable experience with the Minot Minotauros,” Prima said. “It was an important step in my career that prepared me for the transition to the USHL.”

In late February, Prima moved up to join the USHL’s Omaha Lancers, debuting with the team on Feb. 21. Prima appeared in 17 games, putting up 14 points on six goals and eight assists. He recorded an assist in his first game and netted his first goal the following day. Prima recorded a point in 12 of 17 games.

“When the opportunity came for us to move him up to Omaha, that’s kind of what our organization is about,” Campbell said. “It’s about player advancement and it was a good opportunity for him. We were excited for him when that opportunity came up. It left a major hole in our lineup this past year, but that’s part of this process and part of what led to him getting picked in the NHL Draft.”

Prima becomes the third Tauros alum to be selected in the NHL Draft, joining Merrick Madsen and Kyle Kukkonen, but Campbell said that Prima is the first full-time Tauro to be drafted. Madsen had already been selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the sixth round in 2013 before arriving in Minot and Kukkonen was a part-time player who had joined the Tauros immediately following his high school season and was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in the 6th round in 2021 that offseason.

Five undrafted Tauros have played at least one game in the NHL over their careers: Blake Lizotte, Jon Lizotte, Mason Morrelli, Ondrej Pavel and Wilmer Skoog.

Blake Lizotte has spent the most time in the NHL, signing as a free agent with the Los Angeles Kings toward the end of the 2018-19 season. He is now in his second season with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has played in 389 NHL games, registering 126 points on 50 goals and 76 assists.

Morrelli appeared in 10 games with the Golden Knights and is currently overseas with the Barys Astrana of the KHL. Skoog made his NHL debut with the Florida Panthers this season, playing three games, where he picked up two assists. Pavel played in two games with the Colorado Avalanche during the 2023-24 season and Jon Lizotte suited up once for the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 28, 2021. All of them spent time playing in the American Hockey League (AHL).

By drafting Prima, the Mammoth have four years to sign him to a contract, allowing Prima to complete his junior hockey career and explore future playing opportunities. Prima has not yet made a college commitment, but said that he has been in contact with the Mammoth organization and the two sides have discussed future plans.

“Right now, I’m focused on continuing to develop in the USHL with the Omaha Lancers,” Prima said. “As for the future, all options are open. I’m considering different paths, including the possibility of playing in the NCAA. I’ll make a decision soon that will be best for my career.”

While sitting in his office after seeing one of former players live out a dream and be drafted in the NHL, Campbell remembered not long ago when Prima would be across the desk looking for feedback to improve his game.

“For me as his coach, I remember him just sitting here in the office,” Campbell said. “It was early December and we were talking about where his game was coming to up to that point and where I thought it could get to if he put in the work and focused on the correct things. And I just remember how receptive he was to that and how on board he was with getting coached and wanting to become a better player.”

Prima begins his second season of junior hockey with the Lancers on Sept. 25.