ST. PAUL, Minn. — Zeev Buium`s first media scrum as a Minnesota Wild player took an unexpected turn on Monday when a practice jersey was playfully tossed, landing right on the rookie`s face.
The newly drafted defenseman, a first-round pick in 2024, simply smiled and remained composed, showing he`s ready for the challenges ahead. While his NHL career is just beginning, Buium, known for his unique name and path to professional hockey, seems well-prepared to handle the pressure.
Fresh off an NCAA championship win with Denver and a recent Frozen Four appearance, Buium concluded his college career after two seasons to join the Wild. He signed his first NHL contract on Sunday and participated in his first Wild practice and team introductions on Monday.
Coach John Hynes humorously compared Buium`s arrival to “your first day of school.”
Showing his commitment, Buium emailed his Denver professors to let them know he would be absent from class this week.
“I felt I had progressed as much as I could in college hockey,” Buium explained, noting his status as the top-scoring defenseman in the country and a Hobey Baker Award finalist. “While I can still improve physically, the timing felt right to take the next step and challenge myself at the professional level.”
With Wild defenseman Jake Middleton recently injured and Jared Spurgeon also dealing with an ailment, Buium could quickly find himself playing crucial minutes. Even if both return for Tuesday`s critical game against Anaheim, where a playoff berth is on the line, Buium is poised to potentially play a significant role.
“Playing in the NHL is the ultimate goal, and taking that first shift would be incredible,” Buium stated. “If I get that chance, I’ll be excited and ready. It`s still a bit surreal right now.”
Buium, pronounced “BOO-yum,” grew up in San Diego after his parents moved from Israel in their 20s. His passion for hockey led to daily long drives to Los Angeles for practices, driven by his mother while his father managed their family business.
He honed his skills at Shattuck St. Mary’s, a well-known prep school that has produced numerous NHL players. His brother, Shai Buium, is also a promising hockey player within the Detroit Red Wings organization.
The Wild`s playoff fate hinges on their upcoming games. A win against Anaheim on Tuesday secures their playoff spot. Even an overtime loss would likely be enough. However, a regulation loss puts them in a precarious position, depending on the outcomes of games for St. Louis and Calgary.
Having competed in the world juniors and the NCAA semifinals, Buium is no stranger to high-pressure situations, which should serve him well as he joins the Wild during this critical time.
“[Buium] is a very articulate and mature young man,” said coach Hynes. “He has leadership experience from his previous teams, which makes his transition to this level smoother.”