Max Plante, a sophomore forward from Hermantown, Minnesota, has been crowned the 2026 USA Hockey Jim Johannson College Player of the Year, a honor that underscores his outstanding performance during the 2025‑26 season.
The accolade adds to a collection of national recognitions, including the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, the College Hockey News Player of the Year title, and a spot on the CCM/AHCA Hockey West First Team All‑American roster.
Plante finished the campaign with 52 points, the highest total by a Bulldog since the 2011‑12 season, and his 26 goals rank second across the entire NCAA.
Legacy and Future Prospects
His achievement marks the fifth time a University of Minnesota Duluth skater has received the Johannson award, tying his name to that of his father, Derek Plante, who captured the inaugural award for the Bulldogs in 1992‑93.
Coach and teammates alike praised Plante’s work ethic and skill, noting that his record‑breaking point total reflects both individual brilliance and the program’s continued development.
With the award season behind him, Plante now looks toward upcoming professional opportunities, while the university celebrates a milestone that reinforces its storied hockey tradition.