BREAKING: Detroit Red Wings sign defenseman to three-year, entry-level contract
Hockeytown is gearing up for a promising addition to their defensive lineup, as the Detroit Red Wings have officially signed defenseman Shai Buium to a three-year entry-level contract. The contract will come into effect starting from the 2024-25 season. In the interim, Buium will join the Red Wings’ AHL affiliate, the Grand Rapids Griffins, on an amateur tryout for the remainder of the current season.
Buium, a second-round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, boasts an impressive collegiate background. He played a pivotal role in the University of Denver’s success, contributing to NCAA National Championships in 2022 and 2024, the latter of which he won alongside his brother Zeev, a prospect eligible for the 2024 draft.
During his tenure with the Pioneers, the San Diego native earned recognition for his outstanding performance, including a spot on the NCHC All-Rookie Team in his freshman season (2021-22) and selection to the conference’s second all-star team in the most recent season. Buium solidified his reputation as one of college hockey’s top defensemen, tallying 14 goals and 75 points in 120 games over three seasons, with a career-high 36 points achieved this year.
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
Buium will find familiar faces in Grand Rapids, as former Pioneers Carter Mazur and Antti Tuomisto are currently part of the Griffins roster, all having played together on the national championship squad in 2022.
The 21-year-old first caught the attention of the Red Wings during the 2020-21 season, where he emerged as one of the top rookies in the United States Hockey League while playing for the Sioux City Musketeers.
With Buium’s signing, Detroit now has 29 standard player contracts secured through the upcoming season. According to CapFriendly, the team will have approximately $27 million in cap space for the 2024-25 season, providing flexibility for further roster adjustments.