Max Plante
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Max Plante (born February 20, 2006) is an American college ice hockey left wing for the University of Minnesota Duluth of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was drafted 47th overall by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2024 NHL entry draft. He won the Hobey Baker Award in 2026.
Playing career
On August 2, 2022, Plante committed to play college ice hockey at Minnesota Duluth. On June 29, 2024, Plante was drafted in the second round, 47th overall, by the Detroit Red Wings in the 2024 NHL entry draft
During the 2024–25 season, in his freshman year, he recorded nine goals and 19 assists in 23 games. He led all NCHC rookies with 21 points in conference play, despite only playing 20 NCHC games due to injury. Following the season he was named to the All-NCHC Rookie Team, and named a finalist for the NCHC Rookie of the Year.
During the 2025–26 season, in his sophomore year, he led the team in scoring 25 goals and 27 assists in 40 games. He tied for second among all NCAA players in goals and third in points. During October 2025, he led the NCHC and tied for first nationally with 18 points. He scored nine goals and nine assists in nine games. His nine goals tied for second in the NCAA during the month. He was subsequently named the HCA National Co-Forward of the Month for October. During conference play he ranked fifth in scoring, with 12 goals and 13 assists in 24 games. He was the first player this season to reach 40 points. Following the season he was the lone unanimous selection to the All-NCHC First Team, and was named the NCHC Forward of the Year and the NCHC Player of the Year. He became the first Bulldog to win the award. He was also named the Hobey Baker Award winner, and an AHCA West First Team All-American. His 52 points are the most by a Minnesota Duluth player since the 2011–12 season.
International play
Plante represented the United States at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded two goals and nine assists in seven games and won a silver medal.
On December 18, 2024, he was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2025 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded one goal and two assists in six games and won a gold medal
On December 24 2025, he was again named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2026 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. During the tournament he recorded one goal in three games, and was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Finland. On December 29, 2025, he was injured during a preliminary round game against Slovakia.
Personal life
Plante was born to Derek and Kristi Plante, and has an older brother, Zam, and younger brother, Victor. His father, Derek Plante is a former professional ice hockey player.
Career statistics
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2022–23 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 32 | 5 | 19 | 24 | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 25 | 6 | 23 | 29 | 6 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024–25 | University of Minnesota Duluth | NCHC | 23 | 9 | 19 | 28 | 16 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2025–26 | University of Minnesota Duluth | NCHC | 40 | 25 | 27 | 52 | 23 | — | — | — | — | — |
| NCAA totals | 63 | 34 | 46 | 80 | 39 | — | — | — | — | — |
International
| Year | Team | Event | Result | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | United States | U18 | 7 | 2 | 9 | 11 | 2 | ||
| 2025 | United States | WJC | 6 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||
| 2026 | United States | WJC | 5th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Junior totals | 16 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 6 |
Awards and honors
| Award | Year | |
|---|---|---|
| College | ||
| All-NCHC Rookie Team | 2025 | |
| All-NCHC First Team | 2026 | |
| NCHC Forward of the Year | 2026 | |
| NCHC Player of the Year | 2026 | |
| Hobey Baker Award | 2026 | |
| AHCA West First Team All-American | 2026 |
External links
- Biographical information and career statistics from , or , or
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byAlex Bump | NCHC Forward of the Year 2025–26 | Succeeded byIncumbemt |
| Preceded byIsaac Howard | Hobey Baker Award 2025–26 | Succeeded byIncumbent |