Sharks Exclusive: Canucks’ Buium & His Connection To Smith, Celebrini, & Former DU Teammates

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium will face some of his closest hockey friends when he takes on the San Jose Sharks on Thursday.

Although he and Sharks forward Will Smith weren’t teammates in the NCAA, their time together at the USNTDP and World Juniors teams meant a lot. Buium spoke exclusively to SHD Thursday morning about his special relationship not only with Smith, but with the rest of those Team USA World Juniors-winning teams.

“We got really close over our time at the U.S. program. Love him to death, and he’ll be a friend for life,” Buium said. “Always someone I’ll be in touch with.”

Buium and Smith got together on Wednesday night to catch up at his and Macklin Celebrini’s place. Sometimes players go out to dinner to catch up, but spending time out of the spotlight in their early 20s can be really refreshing. Buium and Celebrini have also known each other for a long time. Although they never played on the same team at Shattuck St. Mary’s, the two were both at the prep school for the 2020-21 season.

“It’s great. I went over to his and in Mack’s place yesterday for dinner, and it was just nice to see them,” Buium said about the San Jose Sharks forwards. “Mack and I have a connection from Shattuck, and obviously went to the combine and all that kind of stuff together. It’s fun. It’s nice to see those guys. Nice to see where they’re at, where I’m at, and where everyone’s at.”

Buium could’ve been drafted by the San Jose Sharks in 2024. GM Mike Grier had already selected Celebrini with the No. 1 overall pick and, with the 11th pick, drafted Sam Dickinson. Buium would go one pick later at No. 12 to the Minnesota Wild.

Buium’s connection to Sharks prospects

Buium has more connections to the San Jose Sharks than just Celebrini and Smith. The Vancouver Canucks defenseman was teammates with goalie Matt Davis and defenseman Eric Pohlkamp at Denver University. Buium lived with Davis for a season.

Pohlkamp’s personality is well known, and Buium has fond memories of their time together at DU.

“He’s a beauty. He’ll be just fine. I think he’s a really great player and big personality,” Buium said of Pohlkamp. “Someone I love to be around and was super fun to be able to play with. Honestly, he might have more advice for me than I have for him.”

Pohlkamp assumed the role Buium left behind in 25-26 and was nominated for the Hobey Baker Award as the best hockey player in the NCAA.

Although Davis isn’t as highly ranked as a prospect in the San Jose Sharks system, his connection to Buium shouldn’t be ignored. The duo lived together. Buium told SHD that Davis will call him every few weeks to catch up.

“Matty will call me every couple of weeks, and we’ll just catch up,” Buium explained. “That whole group, I mean, we’re all super close. That group chat, it’s going [for] quite a bit during the year. We had a great time together at school, and Matty and I were roommates for a year, so we got really close, just lots of fun. I miss those guys, and it’s fun to be able to see them.”

Buium’s down-to-earth personality has helped him get to where he is today, and he is already a leader on the Vancouver Canucks. The 20-year-old is an alternate captain, and the franchise signed him to an eight-year extension before the season began.