Max Plante, a sophomore forward for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, has been named the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner as the top player in men’s college hockey. The announcement came on Friday night in Las Vegas, capping a remarkable season for the Detroit Red Wings prospect.[1][2] Plante edged out finalists Eric Pohlkamp of Denver and T.J. Hughes of Michigan, becoming the seventh Bulldog to claim the prestigious honor.
Plante’s victory underscores his breakout performance, where he ranked second nationally in goals and third in points. A second-round pick (No. 47) in the 2024 NHL Draft, the 20-year-old from Hermantown, Minnesota, credited his linemates for much of his success. “I, obviously, had a great year, but a lot of props to my linemates,” Plante said. “They made a bunch of plays for me, and I was the beneficiary of it.”[3]
A dominant sophomore season
Plante exploded for 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games, tying for second in NCAA goals and ranking third in overall scoring. His 1.30 points-per-game average placed him eighth nationally, while he notched six game-winning goals and eight power-play tallies.[1] He fired 152 shots on goal, third-most in Division I, and ended the year on a five-game point streak, including an assist in UMD’s 4-3 NCAA quarterfinal loss to Michigan.
Beyond the numbers, Plante’s impact shone in big moments. He earned NCHC Forward of the Year, NCHC Player of the Year, and All-NCHC First Team honors. College Hockey News named him Player of the Year, and he was tabbed National Forward of the Month for October after a 9-goal, 9-assist start.
His line with brother Zam Plante and Jayson Shaugabay terrorized opponents, combining elite skill with chemistry. Plante averaged 21:50 of ice time and posted a +19 rating, proving his two-way reliability.
UMD coach Scott Sandelin praised his humility. “Max would probably be the first one to deflect [the Hobey] and say he’s been around good teammates… That’s just the kind of person he is.”[1]
The finalists and the selection process
Plante beat out a strong field, including Denver’s Eric Pohlkamp, a San Jose Sharks prospect (fifth round, 2023). The junior defenseman led NCAA blueliners with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) and 188 shots in 42 games.[1] Pohlkamp, a transfer from Bemidji State, called Plante “a heck of a player to play against.”
Michigan’s T.J. Hughes, a senior captain and undrafted free agent, finished second nationally with 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 40 games. The Big Ten Player of the Year had 18 multipoint games but couldn’t overcome Plante’s edge.
The Hobey Baker Committee, a 30-member panel plus fan voting, selected from ten finalists. Plante’s consistency—points in 29 of 40 games—sealed it.
Pohlkamp eyes Denver’s title hopes. “This is the main reason why I came to Denver to win a national championship.”[1]
Family legacy fuels the fire
Hockey runs deep in the Plante family. Father Derek played at UMD (1989-93), was a Hobey top-10 finalist in 1993, and skated 450 NHL games before scouting for Ottawa. Mother Kristi starred in UMD basketball and softball.[4]
Older brother Zam, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect (fifth round, 2022), shares the ice with Max at UMD. Younger brother Victor, a top 2026 draft prospect at USA Hockey’s NTDP U-18, committed to the Bulldogs. Victor’s overtime heroics in the 2025 CHL-USA Prospects Challenge tiebreaker showcased the family’s talent.[5]
Max called playing with his brothers a “huge motivator.” “Just the fact to have a chance to play with two brothers at that high of a level, and to try and achieve something that I haven’t achieved yet—a national championship.”[6]
The Plantes mark the second father-son Hobey finalist duo, following the Blakes.
UMD’s storied Hobey tradition
Minnesota Duluth boasts seven Hobey winners, most in NCAA history:
- Max Plante (2026)
- Scott Perunovich (2020)
- Jack Connolly (2012)
- Junior Lessard (2004)
- Chris Marinucci (1994)
- Bill Watson (1985)
- Tom Kurvers (1984)[6]
Coach Scott Sandelin has guided four. Plante is the third sophomore winner for UMD.
This legacy adds pressure and pride. Plante noted, “Duluth has a lot of history with the Hobey Baker.”[1]
Looking ahead
Plante plans to return as a junior, delaying pro hockey to chase a title with his brothers. His Red Wings development continues apace, fresh off World Juniors success.
For Detroit fans, Plante joins a pipeline of college standouts. His skill—elite passing, backhand saucer feeds—projects as a top-six forward.[7]
As the NHL playoffs loom, Plante’s win spotlights college hockey’s depth. Victor’s incoming star power, detailed among top prospects for the 2026 NCAA Frozen Four, promises more Plante magic.[5]
Plante’s Hobey cements his trajectory while honoring UMD’s gold standard. With family united, a championship run feels within reach. For now, he basks in the glow of college hockey’s highest individual honor.
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Par Mike Jonderson
Mike Jonderson is a passionate hockey analyst and expert in advanced NHL statistics. A former college player and mathematics graduate, he combines his understanding of the game with technical expertise to develop innovative predictive models and contribute to the evolution of modern hockey analytics.