The Plante brothers exploded, catapulting Minnesota Duluth's season. Their incredible offensive surge sets the stage for an even brighter future.
Minnesota Duluth was eliminated in a tight regional final finish by Michigan, but it is a season that will not be forgotten inside the walls of Minnesota Duluth.
Although tasting the National Championship in 2011, 2018 and 2019, this season was electric and unique in its own.
That is due to a duo, the Plante brothers. #10 Max and #27 Zam combined for 102 points, with Max leading the team with 25 goals, while Zam led the Bulldogs in a nationally ranked power play unit, also holding the second spot in assists with 30.
Last year? The two only combined for 48 points, less than half of the total this year. There is no such thing as a sophomore slump in the Plante family.
The Bulldogs 29.6% power play unit was third in the country, the school’s best power play in the modern era. Max and Zam combined for 18 power play goals, which is as many or more than four NCAA division one schools, including prolific Boston University.
The two are sons of former NHLer and Stanley Cup Champion Derek Plante, who played for UMD himself from 1989-1993, scoring 92 points in 37 games his senior year.
Derek was also an assistant coach for UMD from 2009-2015, and came back from the NHL to be an associate head coach from 2020-2022, before he joined back with the Blackhawks to become assistant coach, where he now works for the Ottawa Senators as a scout.
And what do you know… his youngest son Victor is committed to Minnesota Duluth for the 2026-27 season. Victor is ranked within the top 30-40 prospects by many outlets for this year’s NHL Draft.
For Max and Zam, they both have brilliant careers already set ahead for them as well.
Max was selected 47th overall in 2024 by the Detroit Red Wings. He is one of the favorites to win the Hobey Baker Award this year.
Zam is slightly older, drafted back in 2022 in the 5th round by the Pittsburgh Penguins, which now gems as a steal for the organization the way the 21 year old has showcased his talents in the NCAA.
The Bulldogs were just a win from a Frozen Four this year, and it gets scarier when you look forward to next year, as the Plante brothers have already verbally agreed to stick around at AMSOIL Arena to play with their younger brother Victor.
Scott Sandelin has more than enough with a young roster at hand to bring this team to a national championship next year, and the Plante family will play a huge share in that part.