The 2026 NHL Draft will feature a notable storyline as Victor Plante, the youngest of the Plante brothers, prepares to hear his name called in Buffalo this weekend. Scouts have praised his blend of speed, vision, and scoring touch, traits that run in a family deeply rooted in the sport.
Victor has been promised a shift alongside his brothers, Max and Zam, at the University of Minnesota-Duluth. The trio will reunite in college after each has carved out a distinct path: Max recently captured the Hobey Baker Award, while Zam has been a steady offensive force.
A Family Affair in the Draft
Their father, Derek Plante, adds another layer of history to the narrative. A former NHL player, Derek scored a celebrated overtime goal for the Buffalo Sabres in 1997, a moment still replayed by fans. Now working as a pro scout for the Ottawa Senators, he has guided his sons through the complexities of elite hockey.
Max Plante’s sophomore season was nothing short of spectacular. He earned the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player and helped the Bulldogs to a dominant campaign, finishing with 45 goals and 103 points in just 40 games. His chemistry with Zam, who contributed heavily to that point total, makes the brothers a formidable duo.
Victor’s own development took a significant step when he spent the previous season with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s Under‑18 squad. In 57 games he recorded 21 goals and 47 points, showcasing the offensive instincts that have drawn NHL attention.
The draft’s location in Buffalo carries sentimental weight for the Plante family. Derek’s 1997 overtime heroics remain a point of pride, and the prospect of hearing his son’s name called in the same city adds a poetic closure to a multi‑generational hockey story.