‘We’re all on the same page and have the same energy. We want to be here for each other, lean on each other, and we’re going through the same things’ \u2014 Zeev Buium on young Canuck blueliners<\/p>\n
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Published Mar 15, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 1\u00a0hour ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 4 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Sometimes, the ties that bind are off the ice to create a brotherly bond.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n The \u2018Breakfast Club\u2019 was once a real deal for the Vancouver Canucks<\/a>. Young and impressionable players, and one influential veteran, would regularly gather at a secret location to dish on their games and dig into a stack of waffles topped with strawberries, bananas and cream.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n What started out as former Canucks captain Quinn Hughes<\/a> grabbing a bite with defensive partner Chris Tanev turned into urban legend because of devotion and undisclosed location.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a little hole in the wall and it\u2019s nice. I\u2019ll take anyone,\u201d a 20 year-old Hughes once told Postmedia. \u201cTanev and me would go pretty much every other day. We just liked the place because it was so private. And then Petey (Elias Pettersson<\/a>) would go and then Brock (Boeser), (Justin) Bailey, (Nils) H\u00f6glander, (Jack) Rathbone and (Will) Lockwood.\u201d<\/p>\n The flashback is relevant because of what the current Canucks are enduring in a roster rebuild that\u2019s taxing young players on every conceivable level. There\u2019s pressure to perform, mature quickly, and become a catalyst to drive the franchise to better days.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Rookie defenceman Zeev Buium, 20, has known nothing but winning with gold medals with the U.S. at the under-18 level, at the world juniors (twice) and the world championship. Losing is new. And so is finding his way along with blueliners Tom Willander, 21, and Elias Pettersson<\/a>, 22, on the ice and in a new city.<\/p>\n \u201cIn Minnesota, it was a veteran group and I love those guys,\u201d Buium said Sunday following practice. \u201cBut they have kids and wives or girlfriends and are kind of past that college phase. They don\u2019t want to hang out or play ping pong, or go mess around the town. With them (Willander, Pettersson) it\u2019s kind of nice.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t know much about Vancouver, but it\u2019s beautiful. There\u2019s a lot to do and I\u2019ve had a blast. We\u2019re all on the same page and have the same energy. We all want to be here for each other, lean on each other, and we\u2019re going through the same things.\u201d<\/p>\n The biggest is losing. It can crush confidence to make the right play at the right time and not be prone to turnovers and positional mistakes. And for Buium, a signature acquisition in the blockbuster Hughes trade, it\u2019s embracing the building process.<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a long time since I\u2019ve been on a team with a losing record \u2014 my U-17 year with USNTDP (U.S. National Team Development Program) we only won five games (actually just two) \u2014 so I know what the feeling is like,\u201d said the San Diego native. \u201cI also know what it\u2019s like to stay with that same group and come out on top and feel that much better.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a very motivated group here and a lot of young guys who want to succeed, so hopefully in the future we\u2019ll bring it home.\u201d<\/p>\n Which, of course, means making the most of every day. With 16 games remaining on the schedule, dialling into practice details and executing on a consistent basis take commitment. And for a blossoming blueliner like Buium, who has speed and elusiveness to effortlessly transition through zones, it\u2019s knowing when to pick his offensive spots and not be vulnerable defensively.<\/p>\n \u201cThis whole year has been a lot of ups and downs and some games it\u2019s like that,\u201d Buium said of decision-making progress that\u2019s led to fourth in rookie blueliner scoring with 22 points (5-17) in 60 games and also a rite-of-passage struggle with a minus-21 ranking. \u201cSince the trade deadline, we\u2019ve pieced together better games.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s a way better morale and energy. The environment is knowing these next six weeks there\u2019s no more nonsense or craziness and we can just focus and not worrying about the guy next to you being gone tomorrow. That\u2019s definitely a factor. We\u2019re trying to prove ourselves and show what we can do at this level.<\/p>\n \u201cThese games are important for us with confidence and where you want to be personally at the end of the year and into the summer to be ready for next year.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s also natural to gravitate toward established NHL defencemen and try to emulate their games.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a few guys, and obviously, Quinn was one of them,\u201d said Buium. \u201cA guy like (Josh) Morrissey is someone I like to watch. He\u2019s similar to me and uses a shorter stick as well. Just the way we skate is similar. And there\u2019s Roman Josi. Every team we play, there\u2019s a No. 1 guy like Rasmus Dahlin, who you grew up watching and it\u2019s cool to play against them.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen I played Cale Makar earlier this year, you can pick things up against them and try them out.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Canucks head coach Adam Foote said Buium is going through a learning process of trial and error on his offensive forays to build a complete game.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going to learn there are times when he\u2019s feeling it, but I like how he\u2019s not intimidated by the traffic,\u201d said Foote. \u201cHe\u2019s got the swagger to do it and the vision and ability. It\u2019s managing the clock, who is opponents are, and who his teammates are for line changes.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a pretty bright guy and picks up on things to create separation. And his positional play in his own zone is pretty good.\u201d<\/p>\n OVERTIME \u2014 Defenceman Elias Pettersson, who suffered a left-knee injury in the second period Saturday and didn\u2019t return in a 5-2 loss to the Seattle Kraken, was a practice participant Sunday. \u201cI got banged up yesterday and they held me back and everything is fine now,\u201d said Pettersson. \u201cI just smashed my knee into the boards but I\u2019m good to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Canucks Coffee: Visa problems, lawsuits and paper bags<\/p>\n![\"alt](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2266120736_302062791.jpg\")
Defenceman Zeev Buium of the Vancouver Canucks gets a leg up on forward Chandler Stephenson of the Seattle Kraken during second period Saturday at Rogers Arena. Photo by Derek Cain \/Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.7.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Seattle Kraken forward Shane Wright checks Vancouver Canucks blueliner Zeev Buium on Saturday at Rogers Arena. Photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n![\"David](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/2252279388_300404438.jpg\")
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