The University of Denver freshman defenseman is a game-changer with the puck on his stick
Those who follow the NHL draft closely know that defensemen with elite offensive instincts are highly revered by NHL teams and fans alike. And seeing how players who fit that mold in their draft year and then went on to make an impact in the NHL – recent examples include Quinn and Luke Hughes as well as Cale Makar – it’s natural for fans to want their favorite team to draft a stalwart on the back end.
Fans of U.S. college hockey know how hectic and fun it can be on a year-to-year basis. New recruits come in and players age out, changing team dynamics, unlike many other leagues around the hockey world.
For the University of Denver, one of their new recruits just so happens to fit the mold that NHL teams love and his name is Zeev Buium. The Pioneers have been one of the best teams in U.S. college hockey this season, with an 18-8-2 record and holding the No. 8 spot in the THN's NCAA rankings.
Buium, a high-octane offensive defenseman, has been pegged by many as a potential top-15 selection in the upcoming 2024 NHL draft. The native of Laguna Niguel, Calif., has been electric on the back end for the Pioneers so far this season, amassing an impressive 34 points in 26 games as a freshman.
“It just feels like home,” said Buium of playing in Denver. “I remember I came here on a visit with my brother (Shai, a second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings in 2021) when I was 14 and I wanted to commit right there and then. I love it.”
So, what has allowed Buium to transition seamlessly to the college ranks?
He’s been able to be such an impact defender on the scoresheet because of how he thinks the game – he’s routinely one step ahead of his opponents in the offensive zone. He has the ability to walk the blueline with confidence, scanning the ice for open lanes and hitting his teammates with quick, accurate passes in high-danger areas. He activates into open space undetected and can create scoring chances with a quick release.
“I would say my two biggest assets are my skating and hockey IQ,” Buium said. “I use those things throughout everything on the ice whether that’s defending or making plays in the defensive zone, neutral zone or offensive zone. When I go into a game, those are kind of the two things I pinpoint and I focus on.”
One example of how dangerous Buium can be comes in the clip above. He saw the puck coming up the half-wall and the amount of open space that the Omaha-Nebraska players left him and he took advantage of it – activating into open space with the puck and unleashing a well-timed shot that beat the goaltender with ease.
Buium is also a serious threat in transition. He attacks open lanes and can beat defenders to the outside thanks to his small-area quickness. He also uses his elite edgework to ward off the opposition, navigating into open space to find teammates to move the puck under pressure.
The other positive to Buium is how he is able to defend in his own zone. He uses his length to keep opponents to the outside when defending the rush and makes it hard for anyone to gain space in front of the net to jump on loose rebounds or screen the goalie. Buium uses his mobility to get back on puck retrievals and consistently looks over his shoulder for incoming forecheckers when doing so.
Paired with his great first half of the season with Denver, Buium played a big role for the United States at the World Junior Championship, where he collected five points in seven games. The opportunity to play against the best under-20 players in the world was an experience he will not soon forget.
“It’s something you dream of as a kid. It’s pretty crazy to even feel like you made it there and obviously to win it is a completely different feeling,” Buium said. “Playing against guys on Sweden, and Slovakia and some of those teams, they’ve got a lot of really good players. Playing against them, it’s fun, it’s competitive and it’s one of the best tournaments in the world.”
David Carle, the head coach at the University of Denver who also served as head coach for Team USA, liked what he saw from Buium at the WJC. “I thought he played well. He was asked to probably do a little less from a minutes perspective, I guess I speak specifically to the power play. To be able to adjust to that, to accept that role and to focus on his 5-on-5 play, and still make an impact offensively and defensively, I thought he did an excellent job.”
While there is hardly ever a prospect who doesn’t need refinement in their game, it is hard to deny the promising tools that a defender like Buium possesses. Buium, though, insisted he is always looking to improve his game. “There’s always room for improvement, no one’s perfect,” he said. “For me, it’s continuing to get better defensively, continuing to mature my game even more throughout the season, and obviously, getting faster and stronger.”
Added Carle: “As he matures, his game will continue to mature, his body will continue to mature. He’s on a great path. There’s not a 911 in any part of his game. I just think his game will continue to improve as Father Time goes on.”
As the 2024 NHL draft approaches, expect more people around the hockey world to be mentioning Buium’s name with the other top talents.