Zeev Buium

Zeev Buium is an American-born ice hockey defenseman and rising National Hockey League (NHL) player for the Minnesota Wild. Known for his offensive instincts, composure, and leadership, he has emerged as one of professional hockey’s most promising Jewish athletes.

Born on December 7, 2005, in San Diego, California, to Israeli parents who emigrated from Ashdod, Buium grew up in a family where sports were a central part of life—his mother, Miriam, played professional basketball in Israel. The family’s introduction to hockey was accidental: after attending a cousin’s youth tournament in Los Angeles, the Buium brothers became captivated by the sport. Miriam and her husband, Iuli, fully embraced their sons’ passion, commuting long hours from San Diego to Los Angeles for practices before relocating to support their development.

Buium’s early talent was evident at Shattuck-St. Mary’s prep school, where he tallied over 40 points in two seasons, before joining USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program (NTDP). With the NTDP, he helped the U.S. win several international tournaments and earned selection to the 2023 IIHF Under-18 World Championship, where he contributed to a gold-medal finish. His global success continued with back-to-back gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships and another at the 2025 Men’s World Championship..

At the collegiate level, Buium played two standout seasons for the University of Denver. As a freshman in 2023–24, he scored 50 points, led all NCAA defensemen in scoring, and helped Denver capture the national championship. He was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team and earned NCHC Rookie of the Year honors. In his sophomore year, he again led Denver defensemen in scoring 48 points, becoming a Hobey Baker Award finalist and repeating as an All-American and NCHC Player of the Year.

Selected twelfth overall in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft by the Minnesota Wild, Buium signed his entry-level contract on April 13, 2025, just days after Denver’s Frozen Four appearance. He made his NHL debut in the Stanley Cup Playoffs and registered an assist in his third game.

On October 11, 2025, he scored his first NHL goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Buium’s Israeli heritage and Jewish identity are visible in his life. He has spoken openly about his connection to Israel, particularly during the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack, which coincided with his first collegiate game. He wears a tattoo on his forearm listing the Hebrew dates of his championship victories, explaining that it symbolizes his faith and his pride in being Jewish. “I love being Jewish, love everything about it,” he said. “It’s pretty unique and special for us to show the Jewish community that it doesn’t matter where you’re from—you can do whatever you want”.

As one of the few NHL players of Israeli descent, Buium has become a source of pride for Jewish and Israeli communities. His blend of skill, discipline, and cultural pride has positioned him as one of the league’s most compelling young defensemen, bridging his family’s Israeli roots with a burgeoning American hockey career.

Sources: “Zeev Buium,” NHL.
“Zeev Buium,” denverpioneers.com.
“Zeev Buium,” USA Hockey.
“Meet Zeev Buium, who could be the NHL’s next Jewish superstar,” The American Israelite, (July 5, 2024). 
Michael Russo, Joe Smith, “Zeev Buium scores first NHL goal, but Wild fall short: Takeaways vs. Blue Jackets,” New York Times, (October 12, 2025).