The Red Wings traded up to pick Shai Buium with the 36th overall pick in the 2021 NHL Draft, and Detroit Hockey Now’s Kevin Allen took note of Buium’s unique NHL roots as the son of Israeli immigrants in San Diego, California:
His mother, Miri, was a professional basketball player and his father was in the Israeli military. Shai was six when he asked his mother whether he could play hockey.
“I fell in love with the game, and asked my mom if I could play a couple of times,” Shai said. “Eventually she said ‘yes’ just to try it out. Thankfully, she let me
What was her reservation? “It’s expensive in California,” Shai said. “It was a luxury..she never really told me.”
Buium played for the Los Angeles Junior Kings program for going to Shattuck St. Mary’s. “Growing up Detroit was my favorite team when (Nick) Lidstrom and Pavel Datsyuk was there,” Buium said. “This is like a dream come true to be drafted by the Detroit Red Wings.
Continued; Here’s more from the Detroit News’s Ted Kulfan:
“My strengths are my hockey IQ, I read the game well, and pick my pockets of when to join the rush or stay back,” Buium said. “My game has matured through the years and I’m more of a two-way, offensive defenseman.”
Buium’s younger brother Zeev is going to play for the Plymouth Township-based United States National Development Team under-17 team this season, and the two routinely push each other.
“He’s real talented,” Shai said. “We compete against each other a lot, whether we’re on the ice together or playing street hockey or playing basketball. We compete a lot and try to push each other to get better and that’s what brothers do.”
Buium was thrilled to talk to Wings general manager Steve Yzerman during the interview process.
“He’s a legend, and it was pretty intimidating at first, that’s for sure,” Buium said. “But I’m super excited to be part of this organization.”
.@shai_buium‘s favorite players growing up…@NicklasLidstrom and @Datsyuk13. pic.twitter.com/KPNAtcsOQC— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) July 24, 2021
Update #2: Here’s more from MLive’s Ansar Khan:
When Buium’s older brother, Ben, enrolled at Shattuck St. Mary’s, it opened a door for Shai.
“The bantam team needed a defenseman and asked me if I could come,” he said. “Everyone knows Shattuck St. Mary’s is a great place to be and develop. I couldn’t miss on that opportunity.
“When I went (to Sioux City) as an affiliate, I was able to play some games and practice. I loved the competition. I felt it brought more out of me and I was able to play well and develop my game more and more.”
His younger brother, Zeev, will play for the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under-17 team in Plymouth next season.
“He’s really talented,” Buium said. “We compete with each other a lot, especially when we’re on the ice together, especially when we’re playing street hockey. Really anything, basketball. We just try to push each other to get better.”
