The potential overager will head to the University of Vermont for the 2026-27 campaign.
After 126 combined QMJHL regular season and playoff games, Shawinigan Cataractes blueliner Mathieu Plante is deciding to take the next step in his hockey career.
The 19-year-old defenseman has announced his commitment to the NCAA's University of Vermont for the 2026-27 season, heading to school instead of playing out his overage year in Shawinigan.
Plante had 35 (9+26) points in 59 games for the Cataractes last regular season, and followed that up with a tremendous playoff run, scoring five goals and five assists in 11 games.
After a terrific playoff run to cap off his 19-year-old season, Mathieu Plante is headed to the NCAA. (Photo: Vincent Létourneau)A 10th-round pick of the Cataractes in the 2022 QMJHL draft, it took a little bit of time for the 6-foot, 179 pound blueliner to carve out a full-time role in the league.
But, once he made it, Plante became a big time contributor and leader on Shawinigan's blue line, having a tremendous 2025-26 campaign in a pretty sizeable role.
If he had chosen to stay for his overage year, it's likely the Québec City native would've had an even bigger role to play this upcoming season in the Q, but he's made the choice to head down to Vermont now.
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