One day after being named an alternate captain for the University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey team, Max Plante has been named to the 2025-26 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Preseason All-Conference Team.


The sophomore forward, despite playing in just 23 games last season due to injury and national junior team duty, scored nine goals and dished 19 assists for 28 points as a rookie. That 1.21 points per game average for the Hermantown, Minn. product helped make him a 2024-25 Finalist for NCHC Rookie of the Year, and cleared him a spot on the 2024-25 NCHC All-Rookie Team. Plante – who had nine games with two or more points last season – posted a 1.05 ppg average in NCHC games that led all rookies in league play. Plante also helped the U.S. win gold at the 2025 World Junior Championship in January.


Plante becomes the first Bulldog to land on the league's preseason team since current Philadelphia Flyers forward Noah Cates earned the honor ahead of the 2021-22 season.


2025-26 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team
F: Sam Harris, Denver, Jr. – 22 votes
F: Cullen Potter, Arizona State, So. – 19 votes
F: Max Plante, Minnesota Duluth, So. – 15 votes
D: Jake Livanavage, North Dakota, Jr. – 25 votes
D: Eric Pohlkamp, Denver, Jr. – 16 votes
G: Hampton Slukynsky, Western Michigan, So. – 21 votes


Plante and the Bulldogs will open up the 2025-26 season against the University of Alaska Fairbanks in Fairbanks, Alaska on Oct. 3-4. The Friday-Saturday series will get underway that Friday at 10:00 p.m. CDT.