Denver defenseman Zeev Buium, aged 19, has officially signed a contract with the Minnesota Wild.

AP NEWS

The Minnesota Wild have officially signed defenseman Zeev Buium to a three-year entry-level contract as of Sunday, incorporating their 2024 first-round draft selection into the team just ahead of the NHL playoffs. The 19-year-old Buium recently finished his sophomore year at Denver, where he recorded 13 goals and 35 assists, contributing to the team's run to the semifinals of the NCAA Frozen Four, which concluded on Thursday. Buium was recognized as one of the three finalists for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, awarded to the top player in the nation. Hailing from Laguna Niguel, California, he emerged as the highest-scoring defenseman in the country and ranked second overall among NCAA players in assists. Additionally, he earned a gold medal with Team USA at the World Junior Championships. Buium was selected as the 12th overall pick by the Wild in the previous year’s draft, and the team currently holds the first wild card position in the Western Conference as they prepare for their final regular season match against Anaheim on Tuesday.

There is a possibility that he may participate in the game against the Ducks. Although no official announcement was made on Sunday, Wild general manager Bill Guerin mentioned in a recent KFAN interview that regarding Buium's involvement this season and in the playoffs, "he will play. ... These kids, they're different man. They're made for this stuff. They're ready."