Zeev Buium and DU Pioneers want back-to-back championships

Zeev Buium had a freshman season for the ages a year ago, and now he’s got a chance to be one of the most decorated players in the history of college hockey’s most successful program.

Buium set a record for assists by a freshman defenseman at the University of Denver. He became the first Pioneers freshman in three decades to reach 50 points in a season. Oh, he also won a gold medal at the World Junior Championships, won a national title and was selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL draft.

What could he do for an encore? How about defending both titles and becoming the third player in program history to win the Hobey Baker Award?

“Trying to go back-to-back with the natty and world juniors is a challenge, but it’s something I want to go for,” Buium said. “(The Hobey Baker) would be a great honor. But for me, it’s the same thing as last year. I’m just going to focus on my day-to-day process, and the team and everything. I think if I’m playing good, if I’m doing my thing and I’m helping the team, everything else should take care of itself.

“It’s not something I’m going to think about, but it’s definitely something I would love to do.”

Buium will be the highest-drafted player to play for the Pios in program history when DU opens the 2024-25 campaign Saturday night in Anchorage, Alaska. He was DU’s fifth first-round selection and the second-highest pick. Craig Redmond went sixth in the 1984 draft but had already left the program to play for the Canadian national team.

Buoyed by the return of Buium, plus seniors Jack Devine and Matt Davis, the defending champion Pioneers are the No. 1-ranked team in both major preseason polls. Buium’s freshman All-America season, which included 11 goals, 50 points and a couple of excellent performances against the best forwards in the country a year ago at the Frozen Four, will put him on the shortlist of contenders for college hockey’s top individual award.

“Absolutely I think he can (win the Hobey),” DU coach David Carle said. “He’s a really dynamic player who affects the game offensively, defensively whenever he’s on the ice.

“I think you see the physical maturity that he’s already had through the summer. Being the second-youngest player in college hockey (last year), there was just going to be some of that natural physical and mental maturity. I think as that grows, it’ll just increase his impact on the game and allow his brain to do a little bit more now that his body can do even more.”

The Pios do have key players to replace, including Buium’s older brother, Shai, and Colorado Avalanche prospect Sean Behrens on defense. Three forwards also signed with NHL teams and left early. But Devine could be a Hobey Baker candidate as well, and Davis is back after his star turn during a remarkable NCAA Tournament run.

The Pios are adding a pair of potential impact transfers in forward Samu Salminen and defenseman Eric Pohlkamp, getting another NHL pick back from injury (sophomore defenseman Garrett Brown) and welcoming three freshmen who were also selected in the 2024 draft.