Zeev Buium is set to make Minnesota Wild history. 

Buium will make his NHL debut in Sunday’s Game 1 of their Western Conference first-round series against the Vegas Golden Knights, coach John Hynes told reporters on Saturday, which will make him the first Wild player to make their debut in the playoffs. 

Buium, 19, whom the Wild selected with the No. 12 overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft, signed with the team last week following his collegiate season at Denver. He did not make an appearance down the stretch in the regular season as the Wild fought to clinch a playoff spot, but according to The Athletic’s Michael Russo, Buium has been practicing with the top power-play unit and appeared destined to play in the playoffs.

Buium was a standout defenseman for the Pioneers, who reached the Frozen Four in this year’s NCAA Tournament. He played 41 games and tallied 48 points (13 goals, 35 assists) this season. Buium was tied for the nation’s lead in points by a defenseman. 

Now he’ll be making his NHL debut on the biggest stage against Vegas in the playoffs.

“I found out a day or two ago or whatever, and yeah, it was good. It was nice to hear that, and I’m just super excited and very honored,” Buium told reporters on Saturday. 

The Wild and Knights drop the puck for Game 1 at 9 p.m. CT Sunday in Vegas. 

Zeev Buium is selected by the Minnesota Wild with the No. 12 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft at The Sphere in Las Vegas on June 28, 2024.

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