Latest news with #Zeev
Time of India
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
How Zeev Buium became the NHL's first player with Israeli heritage and a proud Jewish background
When you think of hockey rising stars, Minnesota Wild defenseman Zeev Buium is quickly becoming a name to remember. At just 19, he's already making waves by going straight from college hockey to the Stanley Cup playoffs, a rare feat in NHL history. But what truly sets Zeev apart isn't just his skills on the ice, it's the powerful story behind him: being the first NHL player born to Israeli parents and proudly carrying his Jewish heritage into the spotlight. Zeev Buium's hockey journey fueled by passion and perseverance Zeev's journey started at the University of Denver, where he made a name for himself as a top player. Winning a National Championship in 2024 and being named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference player of the year in 2025, he earned spots on prestigious award lists and helped Team USA win gold at the World Championship. — DU_Hockey (@DU_Hockey) Then, in April 2025, he made history by stepping onto NHL ice for the Stanley Cup playoffs without skipping a beat. For most players, that's a dream come true and Zeev is living it. Behind all that success is a story of family, values, and sacrifice. Zeev's parents, Sorin and Miriam, immigrated from Ashdod, Israel, to San Diego in 1999. They raised Zeev and his two brothers with a strong work ethic and a tight-knit family spirit. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Eat 1 Teaspoon Every Night, See What Happens A Week Later [Video] getfittoday Undo Growing up, the family drove hundreds of miles multiple times a week so the boys could train in a youth hockey program run by the Los Angeles Kings. It wasn't always easy, but Sorin and Miriam's commitment never wavered. 'They taught us what it means to work hard and be dedicated, but also to stay grounded and kind,' Zeev shared. Their Israeli and Jewish heritage was more than just a background, it was a guiding force shaping the young athlete's mindset and approach to life. Proudly embracing Jewish identity on and off the ice In a sport where cultural diversity is still growing, Zeev's pride in his Jewish roots is refreshing and inspiring . 'I'm a proud Jew,' he says simply but powerfully. For him, being Jewish is more than a label, it's an essential part of who he is, influencing how he approaches challenges and success alike. His parents, though new to hockey when they first came to the U.S., have fully embraced the sport, supporting their sons through every practice, game, and milestone. Zeev's older brother, Shai, was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings, proving the whole family's hockey passion runs deep. Also read - Sources confirm Bam Adebayo to bang the drum and DJ Khaled to appear at tonight's Stanley Cup Final Game 3
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'First NHL game and it's in the Stanley Cup playoffs': Zeev Buium spends 13 minutes and 27 seconds on the ice
(Image via Getty: Zeev Buium) 13 minutes and 27 seconds on the clock for a 19-year-old rookie ice hockey defenseman , Zeev Buium ! In that 13:27 of ice time, he had only one shot! But that moment? That NHL moment? For him? Meant everything. In Zeev Buium's words, 'It was a dream come true to play in the NHL, to play in a game.' Talking about his Minnesota Wild team's loss to Vegas Golden Knights , 'Sucks to lose, but you know, move on.' Minnesota Wild took to their X and shared the first moment of Zeev Buium on the ice hockey rink, traditionally called a rookie lap, though, in Zeev Buium's case, it's a Stanley Cup Playoffs rookie lap! The Minnesota Wild captioned their X post, 'This is where it all begins, take your lap Zeev.' An X user commented, 'First NHL game and it's in the Stanley Cup playoffs!!', another compared Zeev Buium to Rick Tocchet, current head coach for the Vancouver Canucks, '@RussoHockey Zeev's flow looks like a 90's Rick Tocchet and I love it.' First time in the NHL, and it's straight into the Stanley Cup Playoffs for 2024 NHL draft defenseman Zeev Buium First-time jitters for the NHL, you must have heard. But first-time jitters for the NHL and the Stanley Cup Playoffs? That you might not have heard! It happened with a 19-year-old rookie defenseman for the Minnesota Wild who goes by the name Zeev Buium! What did he have to say at the post-game conference about the first-time jitters at the playoffs? 'After my first shift, the nerves completely went away. It wasn't. Actually, less nerves than I thought there was going to be(chuckles). After my first, it was just like you're playing hockey, so definitely up to it, definitely in the lap, but after the first shift.' Minnesota Wild head coach John Hynes sent Zeev Buium late in the game against the Vegas Golden Knights. Talking about this, Buium said, 'I appreciate the opportunity for that, and I want to help the team win it. And, if that's my job to try to dish it out on the power play or whatnot, I wanna do that, and obviously, we couldn't find one tonight, but hopefully, we can get back to work, and we can find a way to get it back next time.' Zeev Buium's family watched him play from the NHL stands, and he had dreamed of that moment his entire life Zeev Buium's family was present in the NHL stands. It made Zeev Buium feel 'Just special. I don't really know what else to say. It was just pretty amazing, and you know, it was something. I have dreamed of my entire life and, you know, to see my family there. Obviously, I thought I wouldn't be here, so yeah, it was unreal.' A reporter at the post-game conference asked Zeev Buium, 'What will you remember of tonight's game?' The 2024 NHL draft, first-round, overall No. 12 pick said, 'Everything. The crowd is pretty amazing. You know, playing a game like that, and you know those are the crowds you dream of playing in, and those are the games you get up for the most. I think just being out there and seeing the atmosphere was pretty amazing.' Also Read: 'Genius marketing': Vegas Golden Knights uncalled cross-check against Minnesota Wild raises questions about penalties - The Times of India
