
Underrated Atlantic Prospects Poised to Reshape the NHL
From Hobey Baker winners to Liiga MVPs, a handful of overlooked players are carving pathways to the league, each backed by distinct family ties and strategic team investments.
Latest Slidescroller coverage mentioning Derek Plante across Hockey.

From Hobey Baker winners to Liiga MVPs, a handful of overlooked players are carving pathways to the league, each backed by distinct family ties and strategic team investments.

Victor Plante, a recent Detroit Red Wings draft pick, will join his brothers Zam and Max at the University of Minnesota Duluth, bringing physical play and 66 points from 77 junior games. The family’s legacy and a challenging slate of opponents set the stage for an exciting collegiate debut.

University of Minnesota Duluth freshman Victor Plante, son of former NHL player Derek Plante and brother of draft picks Zam and Max, has been invited to the 2026 USA Hockey National Junior Evaluation Camp in Windsor, Ontario, a key milestone on his path toward the 2027 World Junior Championship.

Three brothers from a storied hockey family are making headlines as they navigate awards, drafts, and potential NHL reunions.
The Plante family’s deep roots in professional hockey span generations, with father Derek and brothers Zam and Max already drafted. Now Victor, a standout in the USA Hockey National Team Development Program, eyes a higher draft position than Max while the 2026 NHL Draft prepares to unfold in Buffalo, the site of Derek’s Stanley Cup triumph.

Victor Plante, the youngest of the Plante brothers, is set to be drafted this weekend in Buffalo. With a promise to join his brothers Max and Zam at the University of Minnesota-Duluth, the family’s hockey lineage — anchored by father Derek’s memorable 1997 overtime heroics — adds a compelling storyline to the upcoming draft.

With the NHL Draft set for Buffalo, Minnesota’s pipeline of elite prospects is drawing attention, featuring standout players, family connections, and impressive scouting rankings.

Sophomore forward Max Plante earns the 2026 Jim Johannson award, joins an elite list of UMD players, and prepares for international play with the U.S. national team.
Two marquee events will transform Amsoil Arena into a global stage for women's and youth hockey next year.

With their 2026 first‑round pick dealt to the St. Louis Blues, the Detroit Red Wings look to the second round for a centre, and analyst Russ Cohen has identified a slate of candidates ranging from twin brothers to college‑committed forwards.

Max Plante's latest honor adds to a season of record‑breaking performances, highlighting his blend of talent, family tradition, and team‑first mentality.
The Carolina Hurricanes posted a 4-0 victory against the Montreal Canadiens in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, extending their series lead to 3-1. With Frederik Andersen’s eighth career postseason shutout, the team is one win away from the Stanley Cup final. Meanwhile, Team USA is set to face Canada in the world championship quarterfinals, and the new PWHL franchise in Hamilton has hired Kris Sparre as its inaugural coach.

Max Plante, a sophomore forward from Hermantown, Minnesota, has been crowned the 2026 USA Hockey Jim Johannson College Player of the Year, adding to a season filled with record‑breaking performances and national awards.

University of Duluth sophomore Max Plante was named the 2026 USA Hockey Jim Johannson College Player of the Year, adding to a lineage of excellence that began with his father Derek Plante’s 1992‑1993 victory and includes a prior Hobey Baker Award.

Three Minnesota natives are set to be celebrated at USA Hockey’s annual gathering in Colorado for their outstanding contributions to the sport.

Max Plante, a sophomore forward for the University of Minnesota Duluth, has been named the 2026 USA Hockey Jim Johannson College Player of the Year, adding to a haul of accolades that includes the Hobey Baker Award and several conference honors. His historic season not only marks the fifth Bulldog to win the award but also links his achievement to a family tradition that dates back to 1992‑93.

Veteran forward Alex Tuch draws on three career Game 7 appearances, including a 2019 loss that reshaped NHL rules, as the Sabres prepare to host the Montreal Canadiens in a high‑stakes seventh match.