Wild first-round pick Zeev Buium helps U.S. to world junior title, thrives at NCAA powerhouse Denver

DENVER After his picture-perfect pass was hauled to the net by Teddy Stiga to seal a gold medal with a golden goal, relief washed over Zeev Buium.

Not elation or even fatigue, which would have been understandable since the defenseman had just skated nearly 28 minutes more than anyone else at the end of a seven-game tournament.

No, Buiums first reaction to helping Team USA claim back-to-back World Junior Championships with a 4-3 overtime win over Finland on Jan.

5 was phew .

He didnt even join the pile of teammates that surrounded Stiga in the aftermath, instead tossing his equipment and lifting his hands to his head.

I just wanted to win that game so bad, Buium recalled.

I wasnt even thinking about a celebration.

I just didnt want to lose.

This is quintessential Buium.

He might be best known for the ease with which he can get out of the defensive zone and organize offense, instincts that immediately made Buium the Wilds top prospect after the team drafted him in the first round last year on the heels of Buium and the University of Denver nabbing a national title at Xcel Energy Center.

But Buiums competitiveness is also his M.O., and the 19-year-old sophomore hopes his World Juniors experience will foreshadow his college career.

Now back with the Pioneers, Buium is vying for another championship before deciding whats next for him and if thats turning pro with the Wild.

You win one tournament, you want to just keep winning, Buium said Monday while sitting next to Denvers trophy case on campus.

You get a taste of it, and theres no better feeling.

Winning ways Buium would know.

Just look at his track record: The youngest of three boys who grew up in San Diego commuting to the Los Angeles area to play hockey, Buium was a standout with the U.S.

National Team Development Program after two years at Shattuck-St.

Marys in Faribault; thats where he solidified himself as a defenseman after starting at forward.

He has gold medals from the under-17 Four Nations tournament, under-18 Five Nations and under-18 World Championship.

A year ago, he was the youngest player on Team USAs World Juniors roster, with Buium scoring in the third period of the final vs.

host Sweden.

But his performance with Denver was unique.

Aside from recording the first 50-point season by a freshman defenseman in more than 20 years, Buium was the first freshman defenseman in Denver history to be named an All-American.

He racked up 16 points in the teams last 15 games, his final contribution an assistant on Denvers insurance goal in the NCAA championship game against Boston College that the Pioneers won 2-0 in St.

Paul on April 13 for their 10th title.

Two months later, the Wild traded up one spot to draft Buium at No.12, and since then, hes made the pick look like a steal.

Kind of crazy that he slipped to 12, said Buiums Denver teammate Rieger Lorenz, whom the Wild drafted in 2022.

I know the Wild is super happy it happened.

So am I.

Its been awesome to go on this journey with him.

Super proud of him.

Defense then offense Going into this weekends series at Minnesota Duluth, Buiums 24 points are tied for first in the nation among defensemen, and his 19 assists are the most.

The Wild communicate weekly with Buium, and director of player development Brad Bombardir said Buium has improved at everything the team has asked of him.

While the Wild want Buium to play to his strengths which is how smoothly he retrieves pucks and skates up ice to support the attack the 6-foot, 186-pound Buium is realizing when to pursue those opportunities outside the zone and when to stay back.

Hes also brought patience to the position, which has helped him make the correct reads.

Hes got a really good cadence to his game, Bombardir explained.

Buium isnt flying under the opponents radar, and he admitted thats been a challenge for him but one he enjoys.

What hes embraced is the idea that if hes doing his job as a defenseman, then that will lead to offense.

The harder I play in my own end and take pride in it, Buium said, the more likely Im not going to be playing defense as much.

And thats when Buium is electrifying.

Take that assist that clinched gold for Team USA.

That wasnt a sequence Buium and Stiga hashed out ahead of time; they didnt even talk.

But they did see each other, with Buiums casual, one-handed breakout quickly turning into a dynamic flick of the wrist that split two Finnish players to catch Stiga in stride for a breakaway that he buried.

He knows he needs to crank it up a little bit, said Team USA coach David Carle, who also coaches Buium at Denver.

So, thats what I think is really impressive about him is he has an ability to interpret what the game needs from him, and he can adapt and give it what it needs.

Here and now That World Juniors title is special to Buium.

He actually wanted to win more this year than last; the United States had never earned back-to-back championships, and the victory put a bow on his age groups legacy in Canada, no less, where the tournament is beloved.

This one had a little bit more meaning, Buium said.

The run also motivated him to follow the same script with the Pioneers, who are 17-5 and ranked fifth nationally.

But in between hockey and school, including a 7 p.m.

astronomy class for the communications major, Buium still has time to keep tabs on the Wild.

Hes tuned in to probably 90% of the games, and if he cant watch, hell catch the highlights.

And hes envisioned himself with the Wild.

The way they play, it seems like the group they have there is so tight and amazing, Buium said.

So, yeah, hopefully itll be awesome.

Already, the Wild notice pro qualities in Buium thatll translate, and were ready for Zeev when Zeev is ready, Bombardir said.

How will Buium know whats right for him? Thats a decision hell make with his family and the Wild after his college season is over.

As decorated as his past is and even with an intriguing future in the NHL on the horizon, Buium has no problem living in the moment.

I like to be where my feet are, he said, and right now thats Denver.

Theres nothing more that I want than a national championship, so Im going to try to do that, and hopefully we can accomplish that goal.

After the year, if Im ready, Im ready.

If Im not, Im not.

Just taking it one day at a time..

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