Max Plante, a sophomore forward for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, has been honored with the Jim Johannson College Player of the Year Award, adding to a rapidly growing résumé of individual accolades.
The recognition follows his recent Hobey Baker Award, cementing his status as the nation’s top collegiate male hockey player, and reflects a season in which he tallied 52 points across 40 games, including a tie for second‑most goals with 25.
Head coach Scott Sandelin lauded Plante’s impact, noting his “impactful performance and consistent effort on the ice” and emphasizing how the player’s unselfish style has elevated the entire squad.
Plante’s decision to return for a fifth year mirrors a family tradition of commitment; his father, Derek, was a 1993 Hobey top‑10 finalist, and his grandfather, legendary Hermantown coach Bruce Plante, instilled a deep sense of team loyalty.
A Legacy in the Making
Beyond personal milestones, Plante also earned NCHC Player of the Year and was named the conference’s first Forward of the Year, underscoring his dominance within the league.
Looking ahead, Plante’s blend of talent, family heritage, and dedication to his brothers on the roster suggests he will continue to shape the Bulldogs’ fortunes, while his upcoming participation in the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship promises to showcase his “old‑school” work ethic on an international stage.