Red Wings sign 2021 second-round pick Shai Buium, goes to GR on ATO

Shai Buium

Denver defenseman Shai Buium (8) celebrates the team's overtime win against Boston University in a semifinal at the men's Frozen Four NCAA college hockey tournament last Thursday. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) APAP

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.

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