Zeev Buium helped Team USA win gold at the 2024 World Junior Championships and is a key member of No. 6 University of Denver. Photo courtesy of Shannon Valerio
Former Anaheim Jr. Ducks defenseman Zeev Buium is the No. 4-ranked North American skater in NHL Central Scouting's mid-term draft rankings, released this week.
Buium is joined in the rankings by three other former Jr. Ducks —defensemen Will Skahan and Tanner Henricks, and forward Chase Stefanek.
Buium, a freshman at the University of Denver, helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the recently completed 2024 World Junior Championships in Sweden. The 6-foot, 183-pound Buium had 25 points (five goals) through 19 games. He also was plus-14.
Skahan is ranked 58th. A left shot like Buium, Skahan is playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program, where he has 11 points (four goals) in 45 games. The 6-4, 212-pounder is committed to Boston College.
Henricks, who played for the Jr. Ducks' 16U AAA last season, is ranked No. 104. A 6-3, 195-pound right-shot D, Henricks plays for Lincoln of the United States Hockey League. He has four assists in 29 games and is committed to St. Cloud State.
Stefanek is 151st-ranked. He has 18 points (five games) in 32 games for Trail of the British Columbia Hockey League. The 6-1, 188-pounder is a Harvard commit.
All four players also appeared in Central Scouting's preseason watch list.