The list of 2025-26 Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalists has been pared down to three and among those making the cut is University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey sophomore winger Max Plante. Plante and the other two finalists – junior defenseman Eric Pohlkamp of the University of Denver and senior forward of the University of Michigan TJ Hughes – were selected from the initial list of Top Ten candidates by the 30-member selection committee. This year's Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner will be announced on April 10, 2026 in the Presidio Ballroom at Park MGM Las Vegas and air live on the NHL Network and NHL YouTube Channel from 5-6:00 p.m. PST.
Plante, a native of Hermantown, Minn., was chosen the 2025-26 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Year – just the second Bulldog ever to land the honor -- and the first honoree since defenseman Scott Perunovich (and eventual Hobey Baker winner) won the award in 2019-20. He also became UMD's first NCHC Forward of the Year and was named a All-NCHC First Team selection. The UMD alternate captain was the NCHC's October Forward of the Month, and was also named the HCA's Forward of the Month for October. In addition, Plante to earned a NCHC Forward of the Week nod back on Oct. 7, 2025, was also named to the NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team and was also a member of the 2025 U.S. World Junior Team over winter break.
Plante finished the season with 52 points – the most by a Bulldog since 2011-12 – and his 26 goals – the second most in the NCAA to date – is the most since Mike Connolly put up 28 in 2010-11. One of just 28 players to have compiled 51 or more points in a single season in UMD program history (82 seasons,) Plante ranked third in the NCAA in total points (52), game-winning goals (6), eighth in power play goals (8) and points per game (1.30 ppg). 15 games this season Plante registered two or more points, including five with three or more. With a time on ice average of 21:50, Plante also owned a plus/minus rating of +19 and had his first career hat against the University of Omaha on Nov. 14.
Against teams in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, Plante had 15 points (6g, 9a) in 14 games, a 1.04 ppg, and that included three points in two NCAA Tournament games.
Plante also now owns another historical note – Max Plante and Derek Plante are just the second father-son duo ever to be named Hobey Baker Finalists.
Plante is the tenth different Bulldog ever -- and first since Perunovich won the award in 2019-20 -- to be named a finalist for the Hobey, which is presented annually to the most outstanding player in NCAA I hockey. Since the Hobey Baker Award was introduced in 1980-81, no school in the country has produced more winners than UMD (six).
Year Name
2025-26 Max Plante (Finalist)
2019-20 Scott Perunovich (Recipient)
2011-12 Jack Connolly (Recipient)
2010-11 Jack Connolly (Finalist)
2003-04 Junior Lessard (Recipient)
1993-94 Chris Marinucci (Recipient)
1992-93 Derek Plante (Finalist)
1985-86 Brett Hull (Finalist)
1985-86 Norm Maciver (Finalist)
1984-85 Bill Watson (Recipient)
1983-84 Tom Kurvers (Recipient)
