Red Wings prospect Max Plante wins 2026 Hobey Baker Award
One of the best prospects in hockey has been recognized for his incredible performance this season.
On Friday, Minnesota Duluth forward and Detroit Red Wings prospect Max Plante was named the recipient of the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, given to the best player in men’s college hockey.
Plante had some tough competition, beating out Denver captain and San Jose Sharks prospect Eric Pohlkamp, as well as Michigan senior T.J. Hughes.
After a bumpy freshman season, Plante has become a star in Duluth. On a line playing most of the season with his older brother and Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Zam Plante and Jayson Shaugabay (Tampa Bay Lightning), the younger Plante has become a promising prospect in the Red Wings pipeline. He sits tied for second in the NCAA in goals (25) and sits solely in second with 52 points. The Hermantown, Minn., native helped Duluth reach the NCHC Championship Game, ultimately losing to Pohlkamp and the Pioneers, but it was enough to get the Bulldogs to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2022.
Plante was named the NCHC Forward and Player of the Year for his incredible campaign, but it wasn’t enough to get his team to the Frozen Four, as UMD fell to Hughes and the Wolverines in the Albany Regional Final almost two weeks ago.
Yet, it doesn’t take away that Plante was unquestionably one of the most dynamic players in college hockey this season. With a potentially exceptional class returning to Duluth next season, the Bulldogs have the potential to be one of the best in the NCHC next season.
Plante is the record seventh Bulldog to take home the prestigious honor. Current Utah Mammoth defenseman Scott Perunovich was the last to do so in 2020, with former NHLers such as Bill Watson and the late Tom Kurvers among the program’s alumni to have previously won the Hobey Baker.
The AHCA Men’s All-American teams were also announced on Friday night:
East First Team
James Hagens, F (So., Boston College)
Hayden Stavroff, F (So., Dartmouth)
Ethan Wyttenbach, F (Fr., Quinnipiac)
Brandon Holt, D (Sr., Maine)
Cole Hutson, D (So., Boston University)
Michael Hrabal, G (Jr., Massachusetts)
East Second Team
Dylan Hryckowian, F (Jr., Northeastern)
Jack Musa, F (Jr., Massachusetts)
Felix Trudeau, F (Sr., Sacred Heart)
Tyler Dunbar, D (Jr., Union)
Chris Hedden, D (Sr., Air Force)
Lawton Zacher, G (Jr., Northeastern)
West First Team
T.J. Hughes, F (Sr., Michigan)
Porter Martone, F (Fr., Michigan State)
Max Plante, F (So., Minnesota Duluth)
Eric Pohlkamp, D (Jr., Denver)
Jake Livanavage, D (Sr., North Dakota)
Trey Augustine, G (Jr., Michigan State)
West Second Team
Tyson Gross, F (Jr., St. Cloud State)
Gavin McKenna, F (Fr., Penn State)
Charlie Stramel, F (Sr., Michigan State)
Ty Hanson, D (So. Minnesota Duluth)
Evan Murr, D (Jr., Minnesota State)
Josh Kotai, G (Jr., Augustana)