Forget signing your first contract, getting your first jersey, taking your rookie lap and all of those other things that accompany your first days in the National Hockey League. On Monday, new Wild defenseman Zeev Buium got what amounts to a more official “welcome to the team” moment than anything else he will experience in Minnesota.
Before the team’s optional Monday morning practice at TRIA Rink, Wild veteran goalie Marc-Andre Fleury told Buium to take a chair in the team’s film room, which is filled with theater-style seats. Then Fleury entered the room and said to Buium, “You’re in my seat.”
That made it real. Once you’ve been pranked by the Flower, you’re officially a member of the Wild.
Surrounded by a three-deep throng of media at his practice rink locker, Buium was all smiles following his first skate in red and green, having agreed to terms with the Wild on Sunday. That came just 48 hours after he was in St. Louis for the Hobey Baker Award ceremony, where Buium was one of two runners-up to Michigan State forward Isaac Howard.
Last Thursday, Buium’s Denver team bowed out to eventual national champion Western Michigan in a double overtime loss in the Frozen Four semifinals.
“A lot of emotions, kind of hard to process still. But I’m just super excited,” said Buium, who is 19 and originally from Southern California. “Obviously losing that game on Thursday sucked, but I had to turn the page quick. A lot of excitement. Anxious, but very excited.”
Buium, the No. 12 overall selection by Minnesota in the 2024 NHL draft, joins the Wild blue line crew at an interesting time, with the team needing just a point Tuesday versus Anaheim (or a Calgary loss in either of the Flames’ last two games) to clinch a trip to the playoffs. And what the blue line will look like by Tuesday at game time is anyone’s guess. Wild coach John Hynes did not say for sure that Buium will make his NHL debut versus the Ducks, but also did not give firm confirmation that Jake Middleton or Jared Spurgeon would be ready to go by then, either.
Instead on Monday, it was all about the new guy wearing No. 8 for Minnesota.
“Really excited for Zeev. I got the chance to sit down and talk with him this morning, and we had a great conversation.” Hynes said. “He’s obviously excited to be here, and we’re excited to have him. Today’s kind of like your first day of school. He’s kind of getting acclimated, meeting everybody, getting a skate in here today and then we’ll take it day by day.”
Buium’s family is going to be in Minnesota on Tuesday in case he makes his NHL debut versus Anaheim, which was the closest team to him geographically as a San Diego kid. But Zeev said he was not really a die-hard Ducks fan.
“I wasn’t really a fan of anybody,” he said, admitting that he played more youth hockey in Los Angeles than in Anaheim. “When I went to play for the Junior Kings, I was more of a Kings fan, but I was never really set on one team.”
For Wild fans, it all feels similar to two years ago when Brock Faber stepped directly from the Frozen Four with the Gophers to the Wild’s blue line for the playoffs. Hynes said Buium will have plenty of mentors among the current Minnesota rearguards.
“Whether it’s Spurgeon or (Jonas) Brodin, I think all of those guys, when a new young guy comes in, can take on that leadership role,” Hynes said. “Brock’s had a similar situation, coming right out of college to a NHL team, so he can share his experiences with (Zeev), and that’s what we’ll count on those guys to do.”
While Buium was talking to reporters, a practice jersey came flying from the other side of the room and landed on the rookie’s head, briefly interrupting the interviews. Buium removed the laundry with a smile, and glanced over to Fleury, who was walking away, sporting a mask of innocence that fooled nobody.
It was another simple message from the hall of hame goalie known for his good-natured pranks. Again, welcome to Minnesota, rookie.
Gaudreau recognized
Down syndrome has touched Wild forward Freddy Gaudreau’s family, with his godson Noah facing that life challenge. Since coming to the Wild, Gaudreau has been actively involved with the Down Syndrome Association of Minnesota. On Tuesday, the Wild will recognize Gaudreau’s efforts to give back.
The team announced that Gaudreau is their 2025 recipient of the Tom Kurvers Humanitarian Award, which is given to the Wild player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in the State of Hockey. Gaudreau said he is honored by the award, but he has never sought recognition for his charitable work.
“It came out of spontaneity and my heart and what I believe in,” he said. “It’s really cool, but (an award) never was the purpose. I’m more of an introvert, and I don’t like to be out there. But stuff happens in your life, and you realize there are a lot of changes that can happen. And to be in that position, I realize I could make a difference.”
Gaudreau, who will be honored on-ice prior to the Anaheim game, is also the Wild’s 2025 nominee for the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.
Zeev Buium, second from left, poses after being selected by the Minnesota Wild during the first round of the NHL hockey draft Friday, June 28, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Steve Marcus)
Originally Published: April 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM CDT
