The Detroit Red Wings have secured the services of defenseman Shai Buium with a three-year entry-level contract, signaling a move towards bolstering their defensive lineup for the future.
Announced on Wednesday, this contract will come into effect from the 2024-25 season onwards. In the interim, Buium will be joining the Grand Rapids Griffins, the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate, on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the ongoing season.
Buium, who was a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, brings with him an impressive collegiate background. Having played for the University of Denver, he contributed to the team’s NCAA National Championships in 2022 and 2024, sharing the latter victory with his brother Zeev, who is also a prospect for the 2024 draft.
During his time at Denver, Buium’s skills were recognized with accolades such as inclusion in the NCHC All-Rookie Team during his debut season in 2021-22. His performance saw further acknowledgment when he was named to the conference’s second all-star team in the recent season, solidifying his status as one of college hockey’s standout defensemen.
UPDATE: The #RedWings today signed defenseman Shai Buium to a three-year, entry-level contract beginning with the 2024-25 season.
Buium will report to the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
Details: https://t.co/6KnZkHGpr1 pic.twitter.com/eqkdQdOFRL
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) April 17, 2024
Across his three seasons at Denver, Buium amassed 14 goals and 75 points in 120 games, achieving a career-best of 36 points in the most recent season. Joining the Griffins, he will reunite with former Denver teammates Carter Mazur and Antti Tuomisto, both of whom were part of the 2022 national championship-winning team.
Buium’s talent caught the attention of the Red Wings during his tenure with the Sioux City Musketeers in the 2020-21 season, where he emerged as one of the top rookies in the United States Hockey League.
With this signing, Detroit has filled 29 standard player contracts for the upcoming season, leaving approximately $27 million in cap space for the 2024-25 campaign, as reported by CapFriendly.
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