Zeev Buium: Age, Ethnicity, Father, and NHL Career

A 19-year-old defenseman from San Diego who happens to be Israeli-American is quietly rewriting what a fast track to the NHL looks like. Zeev Buium went from being the second-youngest player in college hockey to a first-round draft pick in just one season.

Age: 19 (born Dec 7, 2005) ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in ·
Weight: 183 lb ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Team: Vancouver Canucks (NHL) ·
Draft: 12th overall, 2024 NHL Draft

The table below gathers the key biographical and career facts that are confirmed across multiple high-authority sources.

The pattern is clear: nearly all verified details come from official league or college sources, while family and salary information remains less documented.

Is Zeev Buium good?

The short answer is yes—scouts and stats both point to an elite-level prospect. Buium’s 2023-24 season at the University of Denver produced 50 points (11 goals, 39 assists) in 42 games, a scoring rate that placed him among the top NCAA defensemen. NHL Central Scouting ranked him No. 4 among North American skaters for the 2024 draft (University of Denver Athletics official college roster). He also led the 2024 Scouting Combine with 16 pull-ups, showcasing unusual upper-body strength for a young blueliner.

What are Zeev Buium’s stats?

Beyond the 50-point freshman campaign, Buium followed up with 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) in 41 games during the 2024-25 NCAA season (Dobber Prospects scouting database). Over two college years, he averaged 1.12 points per game—a remarkable rate for a defenseman. His 41 blocked shots in 2023-24 also hint at defensive responsibility.

• 2023-24: 11G, 39A, 50PTS in 42 GP (University of Denver)
• 2024-25: 13G, 35A, 48PTS in 41 GP (University of Denver)
• NHL Combine: 16 pull-ups (most among all participants)

What this means: Buium’s production is elite for a college defenseman, but his game will face a step up in the NHL.

What is Zeev Buium’s draft position?

Buium was selected 12th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft (Wikipedia community encyclopedia). He was later traded to the Vancouver Canucks in a deal that sent him west. The 12th pick reflects the high value NHL teams place on offensive-minded defensemen with size.

What ethnicity is Zeev Buium?

Multiple sources identify Buium as Israeli-American. His Elite Prospects profile lists his nation as “USA / Israel” (Elite Prospects hockey database), and Wikipedia categorizes him as an Israeli-American professional ice hockey player (Wikipedia). This dual heritage places him among a small group of Jewish NHL players, though specific details about his religious upbringing are not widely reported.

Is Zeev Buium Jewish?

The Israeli-American label suggests Jewish heritage, but no official source has confirmed his religious affiliation. The surname Buium is of Israeli origin, and his brother Shai also carries the same dual nationality tag (Elite Prospects). Without direct confirmation, it’s best to treat his ethnicity as Israeli-American rather than stating a specific religious identity.

The implication: his ethnicity is established, but the religious dimension stays unconfirmed by primary sources.

Who is the father of Zeev Buium?

The father’s full name is not publicly confirmed in authoritative sources. Wikipedia’s entry makes no mention of a father, and neither do the University of Denver or NHL.com profiles (Wikipedia). Some online discussions (Reddit community) speculate about the family, but no verified source exists.

Is Zeev Buium related to Shai Buium?

Yes. Zeev Buium has a brother named Shai Buium, who is a defenseman in the Detroit Red Wings organization (Elite Prospects). Both brothers share the Israeli-American dual nationality. Shai was drafted by the Red Wings in 2021 (36th overall) and has played in the AHL.

Who are Zeev Buium’s parents?

While the mother is not named in public records, the father remains unidentified. The absence of parent names on official profiles like NHL.com suggests privacy preferences. This is a known gap in the public record.

How old is Zeev Buium?

Born December 7, 2005 (NHL.com), Buium is currently 19 years old (as of 2025). He was the second-youngest player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey as a freshman in 2023-24, turning 18 at the start of his college season (University of Denver Athletics official college roster).

When was Zeev Buium born?

His birth date is consistently reported as December 7, 2005 across all tier-1 sources (NHL.com, University of Denver).

Where is Zeev Buium from?

San Diego, California, is his birthplace (NHL.com). Some sources list Laguna Niguel, California as his place of birth (Elite Prospects), but the NHL’s official profile—the higher-authority source—says San Diego. He is of Israeli descent and maintains dual citizenship.

What is Zeev Buium’s hometown?

His hometown is most often cited as San Diego, California. He played youth hockey in California before moving to the US National Team Development Program and later to the University of Denver (Sports Forecaster player profile).

“Buium was the second-youngest player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey as a freshman in 2023-24.”

University of Denver Athletics

“Buium’s birthplace is San Diego, California.”

NHL.com

Pros and cons of Zeev Buium as an NHL prospect

Frequently asked questions

For Vancouver Canucks management, the decision is clear: develop Buium carefully for one or two more seasons, then integrate him into the NHL lineup. For fans, the wait will be worth it—his offensive instincts are rare.