Denver Hockey’s freshman defenseman and rising star Zeev Buium has been named to the Team USA roster for the 2024 World Junior Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden by head coach David Carle. Buium’s hockey career has been on a meteoric rise since the beginning of the season in October. Despite his age – Buium is the second-youngest player in Division-I college hockey this season, having just celebrated his 18th birthday last Thursday – he is tied for 3rd nationally with 25 points (5G-20A) through 18 games. He is ranked behind only his DU teammates Massimo Rizzo (31) and Jack Devine (28).

On day two of the three-day camp, Flo Hockey featured Buium as the ‘early standout performer.’ Buium was projected in the top four defensive pairings to include Lane Hutson (Boston University), Ryan Chesley (University of Minnesota), and Seamus Casey (University of Michigan).

His on-ice success has come quickly at the University of Denver. As a freshman, he leads all NCHC defensemen with 25 points in 18 games this season. His five goals also lead all NCHC defensemen, while his 20 assists place him only behind teammate forward Massimo Rizzo. Buium is tied for second in the NCHC with teammates McKade Webster and Boston Buckberger with a +15 plus/minus.  The trio trails only teammate Massimo Rizzo’s plus/minus of 19 in the explosive Denver offense.

Buium’s play in Sweden could bolster what many see as a potential first-round selection in the NHL draft. Throughout its illustrious history, just four DU players have been selected in the first round of the NHL draft – Craig Redmond (’84), Joe Colborne (’08), Beau Bennett (’10), and ‘the artist,’ Henrik Borgström (’16).

Buium and Team USA begin play against Norway on December 26th. All games will be televised on NHL Network.

Top photo of Zeev Buium courtesy of Dan Hickling/Hickling Images