After winning two national championships in three seasons at the University of Denver, Shai Buium is turning pro.
The Detroit Red Wings have signed a three-year entry-level contract starting with the 2024-25 season. He will report to the Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout for the remainder of this season.
Buium, 21, recently completed his junior season at Denver, helping the Pioneers capture the NCAA Division I national championship. Buium (6-4, 210) earned NCHC second All-Star Team honors after recording 36 points (seven goals, 29 assists) and a plus-33 rating in 43 games.
The Red Wings drafted Buium in the second round in 2021 (36th overall). He was selected to the NCHC All-Rookie Team and was part of the Pioneers’ 2022 national title team along with fellow Red Wings prospects Carter Mazur and Antti Tuomisto.
Buium collected 14 goals and 75 points along with a plus-61 rating and 44 penalty minutes in 120 games at Denver.
The Griffins plays at Iowa tonight and Friday before wrapping up the regular season Sunday at home against Milwaukee. They will face Rockford in the first round of the playoffs next week.
Latest Red Wings news:
- Pair of Red Wings defensemen headed to World Championship
- Ex-Red Wings first-round pick scratched by third different team
- 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Maple Leafs v. Bruins, Predators v. Canucks and more | How to watch Tuesday’s games, channel, preview
- Ville Husso’s health leaves questions about Red Wings goaltending for 2024-25
- 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs - Lightning v. Panthers, Stars v. Golden Knights | How to watch Monday’s games, channel, preview