DENVER – In a significant move for both the player and the franchise, defenseman Zeev Buium of the University of Denver hockey team has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild, the NHL team announced on Sunday. The 19-year-old prospect is set to make his NHL debut on Tuesday night in the Wild's regular-season finale against the Anaheim Ducks at Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Buium, who was named the NCHC Player of the Year during the 2024-25 season, led all NCAA defensemen in scoring with 48 points and ranked second among all skaters with 35 assists. His impressive performance included a career-high 13 goals and multiple points in 13 games. Buium collected points in 30 of the 41 games he played this season, tallying 38 points (13 goals and 25 assists) in the final 31 outings. He also finished third in the NCAA in average time on ice at 27:03.
His accolades don’t stop there. Buium was a unanimous selection on the NCHC All-Conference First Team for the second consecutive year, and he finished third overall in scoring and blocked shots (50), while his plus-17 rating tied for the fourth-highest on the squad. He was also named a First Team All-American for the second straight season, becoming one of only 14 repeat All-Americans in Denver's history.
In the postseason, Buium garnered NCAA Northeast Regional Most Outstanding Player honors after contributing five points (two goals and three assists) in victories against No. 2-seed Providence and No. 1 Boston College, helping Denver secure its second-straight Frozen Four berth. Notably, he tallied in both regional outings, extending his goal streak to a personal-best three games.
The San Diego, California native's journey to the NHL has been remarkable. He began his sophomore campaign strong, recording three assists in the season opener against Alaska Anchorage on October 5, 2023, and scored a hat trick on November 15, 2023, at North Dakota, becoming the first Pioneer defenseman to achieve that feat since Ryan Caldwell in 2004.
Buium's consistent performance earned him the NCHC Defenseman of the Week award three times this past year, and he has been recognized for his outstanding contributions throughout his collegiate career. He was named NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year for two consecutive seasons and finished his career ranked 10th all-time in scoring by a DU rear guard with 98 career points (24 goals and 74 assists).
His accolades extend beyond college hockey. Buium played a pivotal role in the United States' success at the international level, serving as an alternate captain in the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he averaged the second-most ice time among all players (25:13) and assisted on both the game-tying and overtime-winning goals in the championship final against Finland. He has also helped Team USA secure gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2023 IIHF U18 World Championship.
Selected No. 12 overall in the first round of the NHL Draft in June 2024, Buium is the second-highest draft pick in University of Denver history. His signing comes as the Wild are on the brink of clinching a playoff spot, currently sitting fourth in the Central Division with a record of 43-29-7. They hold the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference and are five points ahead of the ninth-place Calgary Flames.
With one game remaining in the regular season, the Wild are hoping to solidify their playoff position, and Buium's addition could provide the extra boost needed on a defensive line that features a mix of youth and experience, including captain Jared Spurgeon and rising star Brock Faber. Buium's ability to run a power play and contribute to the transition game will be crucial as the team prepares for the postseason.
“Zeev is a hell of a hockey player,” said Pioneers coach David Carle. “He didn’t come in as a projected first-round pick but really got an opportunity, showed his stuff, showed who he can really be, and flourished at our program. I’m so happy for him, proud of him, with everything he was able to accomplish.”
Buium's contract, which is set to start immediately, includes a prorated salary for the remainder of the regular season. He will earn $975,000 per season, with the potential for maximum bonuses if he meets certain performance criteria in the coming years. This includes a $25,000 bonus if he wins the Conn Smythe Trophy and a $25,000 games-played bonus if he plays in five regular-season and playoff games this season.
The anticipation is building for Buium's debut on Tuesday as he prepares to take the ice in an NHL jersey for the first time. “I can’t wait to put on that jersey,” Buium expressed, eager to make an impact in his new role.
As the Wild gear up for what they hope will be a deep playoff run, all eyes will be on Buium as he transitions from college hockey to the NHL. With his impressive track record and potential, he could be a key player for Minnesota in the postseason.
