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2023-24 Player in Review: Shai Buium

2023-24 Player in Review: Shai Buium

Aug 15, 2024

Written By: Andrew Streitel

Defenseman Shai Buium made his professional debut with the Griffins on April 19 at the Iowa Wild following the conclusion of his junior season at the University of Denver.

With the Pioneers, Buium captured his second national title this past season, registering an assist on the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Boston College in the championship game. He totaled career-high numbers in games played (43), goals (7), assists (29), points (36) and plus-minus rating (+33) en route to being named to the NCHC Second All-Star Team and winning the NCHC tournament. Buium’s plus-33 rating is tied with his brother, Zeev, for the highest-ever mark by a Pioneer since the statistic first began being tracked in 2005-06. He ranked among the NCAA defensemen leaders in points (8th), assists (T6th) and plus-minus rating (T2nd). At Denver from 2021-24, Buium won two national championships, two NCHC regular-season titles, the 2024 NCHC tournament, a spot on the 2024 NCHC Second All-Star Team and 2022 NCHC All-Rookie Team, and showed 75 points (14-61—75), 44 penalty minutes and a plus-61 rating in 120 career games.

Regular Season Stat Line

1 GP, 0 goals, 0 assists, 0 points, +0 rating, 0 PIM with GRG
43 GP, 7 goals, 29 assists, 36 points, +33 rating, 14 PIM with UD

Contract Status

Under contract with Detroit through 2026-27

53665799400 08a19a6585 k — Photo by Iowa Wild

By the Numbers

19 – Made his pro debut on April 19 at the Iowa Wild, following the conclusion of his junior season at the University of Denver.

2 – Won his second national championship at Denver, registering an assist on the game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over Boston College in the title game.

1 – Totaled career-high numbers in games played (43), goals (7), assists (29), points (36) and plus-minus rating (+33).

33 – His plus-33 rating is tied with his brother, Zeev, for the highest-ever mark by a Pioneer since the statistic first began being tracked in 2005-06. It also tied for second among NCAA defensemen this season and tied for fourth among all skaters.

6 – He tied for sixth among NCAA defensemen with 29 assists.

36 – His career-high 36 points (7-29—36) ranked eighth among NCAA defensemen.

2024 – Won the 2024 NCHC tournament and was named to the 2024 NCHC Second All-Star Team.

50 – Recorded 50th collegiate point by posting a career-high three points (1-2—3) on Dec. 1 versus North Dakota. He bagged his 50th assist on Feb. 2 against Western Michigan.

4 – Named NCHC Defenseman of the Week on Dec. 4, the same day his brother Zeev was recognized as Rookie of the Week—marking the first time in NCHC history that a pair of brothers were honored for a weekly award on the same day. Buium showed three points (1-2—3) during the two-game span from Dec. 1-2.

100 – Competed in 100th collegiate game on Jan. 20 at Omaha.

8 – Amassed eight multi-point outings while at Denver, including a season-high three points (1-2—3) on Dec. 1 against North Dakota.

2 – Tallied two assists on Nov. 10 at Arizona State, Dec. 1 against North Dakota, Dec. 9 at Western Michigan, Jan. 13 against St. Cloud State, and on March 22 versus St. Cloud State.

6 – Enjoyed a career-high six-game point streak from Nov. 3-19 (2-6—8) and from Jan. 20-Feb. 16 (3-5—8).

5 – Season-high five-game assist run from Nov. 4-19 (6 assists). Also showed four-game assist streaks from Jan. 20-Feb. 2 (4) and from Feb. 23-March 2 (4).

2 – Scored a goal in two straight games versus Western Michigan from Feb. 2-3.

3 – Logged three power-play goals throughout the season on Oct. 20 at Providence, Nov. 17 against Omaha and on Jan. 20 at Omaha.