Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante wins Hobey Baker Award

Sophomore forward beats out finalists from Michigan and Denver

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:25am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a college hockey player in motion, with sharp planes of navy, maroon, and gold colors creating a dynamic, abstract composition.A Cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic energy and skill of college hockey's top player, Max Plante of Minnesota Duluth.Duluth Today

Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante has been named the winner of the 2026 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in men's college hockey. Plante edged out finalists T.J. Hughes of Michigan and Eric Pohlkamp of the University of Denver after scoring 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games for the Bulldogs.

Why it matters

The Hobey Baker Award is considered the Heisman Trophy of college hockey, honoring the best all-around player in the NCAA. Plante's win continues Minnesota Duluth's strong tradition in the sport, as he becomes the seventh Bulldog player to claim the prestigious award.

The details

Plante, a 2024 second-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings, finished third in NCAA Division I scoring behind Quinnipiac's Ethan Wyttenbach (59 points) and Hughes (57 points). Plante's father, former NHL player Derek Plante, also played for Minnesota Duluth and was a Hobey Baker top 10 finalist in 1993.

  • The 2026 Hobey Baker Award ceremony took place on Friday, April 10.

The players

Max Plante

A sophomore forward for the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs who won the 2026 Hobey Baker Award as the top player in men's college hockey.

T.J. Hughes

A senior forward for the University of Michigan who was a finalist for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award.

Eric Pohlkamp

A junior defenseman for the University of Denver who was a finalist for the 2026 Hobey Baker Award.

Derek Plante

Max Plante's father, a former NHL player who also played for Minnesota Duluth and was a Hobey Baker top 10 finalist in 1993.

Trey Augustine

The Michigan State goaltender who was named the top goaltender in college hockey for the 2025-26 season.

Ethan Wyttenbach

The Quinnipiac forward who led NCAA Division I in scoring and was named the college hockey rookie of the year.

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What they’re saying

“Max Plante has had an incredible season and is so deserving of this award. He's been a dominant force for our team and it's great to see his hard work and talent recognized at the national level.”

— Scott Sandelin, Minnesota Duluth Head Coach

What’s next

Plante will now turn his attention to signing an entry-level contract with the Detroit Red Wings, who selected him in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.

The takeaway

Plante's Hobey Baker Award win cements Minnesota Duluth's status as one of the premier college hockey programs in the country, with the Bulldogs now producing seven Hobey Baker winners. His success also highlights the continued pipeline of top NHL talent emerging from the college ranks.