Max Plante has been named the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner, recognizing him as the top men's player in NCAA ice hockey. The 20-year-old Minnesota Duluth sophomore led the nation in goals and finished third in total points this season with 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games. Plante, a Red Wings forward prospect, edged out finalists Denver’s Eric Pohlkamp and Michigan’s T.J. Hughes.
Plante became the first Duluth player since Scott Perunovich in 2020 to win the award. The Bulldogs have now produced seven Hobey Baker winners, more than any other program since the award’s inception in 1980-81. This season, Plante was named NCHC Forward of the Year and First Team All-NCHC, showing his dominance in one of college hockey’s toughest conferences.
Plante's 52 points rank third in the NCAA and set a new program single-season record since 2011-12. He also led the nation in game-winning goals with six and was tied for eighth in power-play goals with eight. His 1.30 points per game ranked among the best in the country.
“I can’t even really believe it,” Plante said. “It feels like a dream, but when your name is called you have to stand up. It was really cool to see my family there.”
Plante is part of a hockey family with deep roots in the game. His older brother Zam was drafted by the Penguins in 2022, and his younger brother Victor is a top-36 prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. Their father, Derek, played 450 NHL games and was a Hobey Baker finalist in 1992-93. Max plans to return to Duluth for his junior season to play alongside his brothers and chase a national title.
“I just want to play with two brothers at that high of a level and try to achieve something I haven’t yet,” Plante said.
T.J. Hughes, the Michigan captain, finished second in the Hobey voting with 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists). Denver’s Eric Pohlkamp, a Sharks prospect, led all defensemen with 39 points in 42 games.
Denver will face Wisconsin in the NCAA Championship game on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2 and ESPN+ at 5:30 p.m. ET.
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