Zeev Buium signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild on Sunday and could make his NHL debut against the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; FDSNWIX, FDSNNO, Victory+, KCOP-13).
The 19-year-old defenseman, who was a first-round pick (No. 12) by the Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft, had 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) in 41 games while averaging 27:03 of ice time per game as a sophomore at the University of Denver.
Buium was named a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, a First Team All-American, and was selected as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Player of the Year and the NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year. He was one of two players to be a unanimous selection to the All-NCHC First Team.
He had six points (two goals, four assists) and was plus-10 in seven games to help the United States win the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, including getting an assist on the overtime goal in a 4-3 win against Sweden to secure the gold medal.
Buium had 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) and 41 blocked shots in 42 games as the second-youngest player in college hockey last season. He led NCAA defensemen in scoring, ranked third in the NCAA in assists (first among defensemen) and was plus-33, helping Denver win the national championship.
The Wild (44-30-7) hold the first wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Western Conference, one point ahead of the St. Louis Blues and three points ahead of the Calgary Flames, who have a game in hand.
