ST PAUL, Minnesota — Defenseman Zeev Buium’s championship weekend did not go exactly as planned, with his Denver Pioneers losing to Western Michigan in the Frozen Four, but it still ended on a high note.
The Hobey Baker finalist signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, less than a year after being selected with the 12th overall pick in the NHL Draft.
The signing comes as the Wild look to add depth to their blue line in preparation for a potential playoff run, which is now well within reach after defeating the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday night.
The Wild will officially enter the playoffs with a win or overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday. Minnesota will also make the playoffs if Calgary loses any of its final three games, the first of which is on Sunday against the San Jose Sharks, or if the St. Louis Blues lose on Tuesday to Utah.
Buium, a San Diego native, led the United States to two World Junior gold medals while also helping the Pioneers win a national championship as a freshman in 2024.
This season, he finished tied for the most points (48) of any defenseman in the country and scored the third-most goals (13) to lead the Pioneers to their second consecutive Frozen Four appearance.
He will now join the Wild just as the team is dealing with critical injuries to defensemen Jared Spurgeon and Jake Middleton.
Spurgeon left Friday night’s game against Calgary with an undisclosed injury and did not play Saturday against Vancouver, while Middleton is still recovering from an upper-body injury.
Buium is now scheduled to make his NHL debut on Tuesday night against the Ducks.