Minnesota Wild President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Bill Guerin announced today that the team has signed defenseman (pronounced Zee-v Boo-y-YUM) to a three-year, entry-level deal beginning this season.
A 19-year-old (born Dec. 7, 2005), posted 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists), four game-winners, and 44 penalty minutes across 41 games in his sophomore season at the University of Denver. Averaging 27:03 of ice time per game, the 6-foot, 186-pound California native led all NCAA defensemen in scoring and ranked second nationally in assists. He logged points in 30 games and recorded multiple points 13 times. Buium earned numerous honors, including Hobey Baker Finalist, First Team All-American, NCHC Player of the Year, and NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year. He was also a unanimous All-NCHC First Team pick and named NCHC Defenseman of the Week three times.
Internationally, Buium played a key role in Team USA’s gold medal win at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, notching six points (2 goals, 4 assists), 11 shots, and a +10 rating in seven games. As an alternate captain, he delivered the primary assist on the overtime game-winner in the final against Sweden. He finished second in the tournament in average ice time (25:13) and tied for second in plus/minus.
As the second-youngest player in college hockey during the 2023-24 season, Buium collected 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists), 20 penalty minutes, and 41 blocked shots in 42 games. He topped all NCAA defensemen in scoring, ranked third in total assists, and tied for fourth with a +33 rating. He helped the Pioneers capture the 2024 NCAA National Championship at Xcel Energy Center and became the first freshman defenseman in over 20 years to hit 50 points. Buium was named to several All-Star teams and earned accolades such as NCHC Rookie of the Year and another Offensive Defenseman of the Year award.
On the international stage, Buium has earned three gold medals with Team USA: at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships and the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship. Across those tournaments, he tallied a combined 16 points in 21 games. In 2022-23, he led all defensemen on the U.S. National Team Development Program with 40 points in 63 games and participated in the 2023 Biosteel All-American Game. His earlier career included 49 points over two seasons at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
Buium was selected 12th overall by the Wild in the 2024 NHL Draft and will wear No. 8 for Minnesota.