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ST. PAUL, Minn. — Zeev Buium is getting used to finding success at Xcel Energy Center.

In March, the University of Denver’s 18-year-old defenseman achieved victory in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference title. Shortly after, in April, they clinched the NCAA Championship as well.

Looking ahead, the Minnesota Wild’s No. 12 selection in the 2024 NHL Draft is eager for continued success on the team’s home ice.

During the Wild development camp this week, Buium expressed satisfaction with winning two championships in four games at that venue. He described it as a promising start and expressed hope that the success will continue to grow.

In order to secure Buium, recognized as a highly skilled offensive defenseman with exceptional hockey intelligence, Minnesota made a strategic move in the first round of the draft. The Wild exchanged their initial 13th pick and a third-round selection in 2025 with the Philadelphia Flyers, effectively trading up to select Buium.

“Buium is an exceptional individual. We truly adore him. He exudes confidence, and I believe that is the key to his accomplishments on the ice. It’s only natural for him to feel self-assured considering his track record of victories, particularly in our home arena. It’s certainly a delightful trend, and we hope it persists.” – Brad Bombardir, Wild director of player development.

The player showcases exceptional vision and remarkable footwork, along with a keen offensive understanding of the game. He possesses the ability to generate scoring opportunities even from tight spaces where most players would struggle. By keeping plays alive and driving the game forward, he had an outstanding year. It is particularly impressive for a freshman in college hockey to achieve such accomplishments at such a young age.

Buium possesses exceptional offensive skills that greatly contribute to his effectiveness on the ice. In his freshman season, he displayed his prowess by leading all NCAA defensemen in scoring with an impressive tally of 50 points, consisting of 11 goals and 39 assists, in 42 games. Additionally, his remarkable performance in conference games saw him secure the second-highest points record by a defenseman in NCHC history, with 31 points (six goals, 25 assists) in 24 games. It is worth noting that this achievement narrowly trails behind Scott Perunovich’s record of 32 points during the 2019-20 season.

In January, Buium played a crucial role in the United States’ victory at the World Junior Championships. Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing 185 pounds, this left-handed shooter contributed five points (consisting of three goals and two assists) throughout seven games.

According to Bombardir, when selecting young players, it is crucial to focus on their strengths and abilities. This approach helps them become the type of players you desire, boosts their confidence, and facilitates their growth and improvement.

He is also quite young, which means he has more room for growth and improvement. It is crucial to place him in circumstances that allow him to utilize his abilities and skills, and that is precisely what we will ensure. I am well aware of the exceptional work carried out by the coaching staff at DU in nurturing his talent. Undoubtedly, they are highly competent and will persist in their efforts to support his development.

According to Bombardir, Buium is “very close, almost there” to being NHL-ready, but he will be going back to Denver for his second year.

Bombardir expressed his belief that this year, our focus will be on encouraging him to maintain his offensive style of play and contribute to creating scoring opportunities. However, it is crucial to remember the importance of defending and improving on certain aspects. This includes being more proactive in the defensive zone, closing plays faster, and providing better support to both the puck carrier and his teammate.

We aim to focus on those specific areas in his development. Our goal is to improve his skills in those aspects so that he can have better control over the game. By doing so, he will be able to possess the puck more frequently, which is exactly what we desire from a player of his caliber in order to make a significant impact during games.

Buium expresses his desire to enhance his skills and ensure they are of the highest quality as he approaches this season.

He stated, “When it comes to skating, there’s always room for improvement. I’m constantly striving to enhance my skills and become better at it.” He continued, “Additionally, I believe in making the most out of my coaching sessions. I listen to their feedback and suggestions, and I’ll make sure to implement their guidance to enhance my performance in the upcoming year.”

Perhaps clinching another championship outside of St. Paul is a possibility?

Buium expressed, “The ultimate objective is always to win another title here with the NHL someday, too.”