Detroit City Wire

After completing his first full season with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the American Hockey League, defenseman Shai Buium is preparing for further development in the 2025-26 season. The 22-year-old prospect will participate with the Detroit Red Wings at the 2025 NHL Prospect Games against the Dallas Stars this weekend at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The series opener is scheduled for Saturday night and will be streamed on DetroitRedWings.com and the Red Wings Mobile App.

“It’s always nice to get on the ice and play some games with the Winged Wheel on,” Buium told DetroitRedWings.com following Saturday’s morning skate. “It’s been a long summer, so I’m excited to get out there and show what I know I can do. We’re going to try to win both games this weekend.”

Buium was selected by Detroit as the No. 36 overall pick in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In his rookie AHL campaign, he recorded two goals and 23 assists over 67 regular-season games for Grand Rapids during 2024-25.

“Last year was a learning year for me,” Buium said. “College hockey and pro hockey are very different, so just learning the pro game and getting comfortable there. I got better as the season went on. I’m just really excited for this year, to do what I can do and try to make it to the NHL.”

Buium noted that adjusting from college hockey at University of Denver (where he played from 2021-24) to professional hockey required changes in how he approached training off the ice.

“Taking care of your body and what you’re doing away from the rink,” Buium said. “You play on Friday, Saturday in college then you have a whole week off. You play 36 regular-season games and every game is a playoff game [in college], but it’s not as taxing on the body as pro hockey. Here, you learn, probably halfway through the season, that you have to be dialed all the time. There are no off days.”

He credited veteran teammates with helping him adapt last season.

“I know it’s cliché and people say it all the time, but just being a pro,” Buium said. “Just trying to be a pro on and off the ice. Your habits are super important. Your sleep is more important than you’d ever think it would be. Nutrition, even. All of it comes together, so when you get to the ice and play the game, you feel the best.”

Reflecting on team camaraderie during his transition into professional hockey, Buium emphasized how much he values spending time with teammates.

“At dinner last night, we talked about how much we just miss being together on the road,” Buium said. “We live for and love that type of stuff. Having your best buds on the team makes hockey really, really fun.”