Author: Dylan Pescator
November 5, 2025
Texas Stars forward Artem Shlaine has taken the road less traveled. He grew up in Moscow, Russia, with his mother, Kathy, father, Dimitri, and brother, Daniel. Artyom first visited the United States when he was six due to his father’s work, but they had no plans to live there full-time.
In Russia, one can choose to play hockey or pursue higher education, but not both. Artyom’s father thought about playing in the United States, where his son would have the opportunity to play at the same time.
Schlein moved to the United States on his own at age 14 and played two years in Florida for the South Florida Hockey Academy, which was led by Olli Jokinen, who played 17 seasons in the NHL.
Shlane then got the opportunity to attend St. Mary’s School in Shattuck, Minnesota, one of the best prep hockey schools in the country. Shattuck University has an incredible history of alumni, including Sidney Crosby and Johnathan Toews. College was his next step, and UConn needed his services.
“College was kind of cool back then,” he said. “It’s just the beginning and no Russians are really on this path.”
Shlaine spent five years in college, making three different stops along the way. He started two years at Storrs, Conn., transferred to Northern Michigan University before his junior season, then exhausted his fifth year of eligibility at Arizona State in 2024-25.
Shlane encountered adversity when he first arrived in Tempe, Arizona. When he stepped onto the ice for the maroon and gold’s first practice, he broke a bone in his foot. His doctor told him it would take eight to 10 weeks to heal, and Artem’s eyes immediately turned to the calendar.
Arizona State was scheduled to travel to Northern Michigan seven weeks into his recovery. Shlain set a goal of returning early so he could play in that series, not just to help his team but because of how special Marquette, Michigan, is to him.
During his two seasons at NMU, Shlaine developed a strong bond with the loyal Wildcats fans. Whether he was at the grocery store, on campus or at the rink, the community knew who he was. Marquette is a place Shlane will never forget, and it’s what motivates him in his efforts to recover.
He was cleared to practice a week before the series and suited up for the Sun Devils in both games against NMU. Wildcat fans cheered him on and even gestured to thank Schlaine for all he has done for the program.
Schlein led ASU to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference semifinals in the school’s league’s inaugural season.
When his season with the Sun Devils ended, he signed an amateur tryout contract with the Texas Stars, playing six games with the AHL club in preparation for the Calder Cup playoffs.
Entering his rookie season this year, he immediately scored his first career goal. On October 18, Shlain scored in Milwaukee, and the crowd included his most loyal supporters.
“I think history repeated itself for me a lot as far as my first goal,” he said. “Just like the North [Michigan]like Arizona State, my first goal, and my parents were in the stands. “
For Shlaine, scoring his first professional goal was amazing, but scoring it in front of his parents made the moment even more special. His parents played such an important role in his life, and he’s well aware of how much they worked to help him follow an unconventional path.
“My dad was always talking about hockey, hockey, hockey, and my mom was more like my psychotherapist, walking me through situations and scenarios and stuff,” he said. “When they watch the game, it’s something special for me every time.”
Now that Schlein has played in more than a dozen professional games, he sees a clear difference between college and professional hockey.
“I believe people make fewer mistakes here. When someone makes a mistake, usually the puck ends up in the back of your net,” he said. “Guys are so skilled, they make you pay for your mistakes.”
Shlaine capitalized on a mistake to score his first goal in Milwaukee, but every step of his journey toward professional hockey was intentional and well-deserved, and his family supported him every step of the way.
