Six University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey players were bestowed 2025-26 team awards Wednesday, including Max Plante, Riley Bodnarchuk, Zam Plante, Joey Pierce, Hunter Anderson and Adam Gajan

Keith Christiansen Award

Sophomore forward Max Plante was named the Keith Christiansen Award winner as UMD's most valuable player during the 2025-26 campaign. The 2025-26 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winner just weeks ago, Plante was named a 2025-26 CCM/AHCA Hockey West First Team All-American and the College Hockey News Player of the Year. The Hermantown, Minn. native was chosen the 2025-26 National Collegiate Hockey Conference Player of the Year – just the second Bulldog ever to land the honor, and became UMD's first NCHC Forward of the Year. Named to the NCAA Tournament Albany Regional All-Tournament Team less than two weeks ago,  Plante also earned a All-NCHC First Team selection. 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.

 
Pat Francisco Award

For their efforts away from the rink, Riley Bodnarchuk and Zam Plante earned the Pat Francisco Award for their contributions in the local community. Bodnarchuk, a native of Okotoks, Alberta, has made a meaningful impact through community engagement, often taking the lead while actively serving alongside his teammates. The senior defenseman volunteered at the local food bank, participated in Little Wild Learn to Play hockey clinics, helped build beds for children in need through Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and assisted with multiple Northland Adaptive Recreation "Shoot for Fun" events that raise funds to support individuals with physical disabilities in accessing sports opportunities.  Additionally, he volunteered at the Twin Ports Aruna 5k- a cause to benefit victims and survivors of human trafficking.  Back in his hometown, Bodnarchuk contributed significant time to the Simpora Foundation, including the rubber ducky race every summer.  The Simpora Foundation raises money for youth athletics in the community in exchange for a community kindness project, aiming to immerse youth into volunteering and community service.

Plante was involved with Shoot for Fun and Little Wild. The Herntown, Minn. native was also engaged with local youth through reading in classrooms and attended youth hockey practices throughout the area.

Goldie Wolfe Award

Team Captain Joey Pierce was named the Goldie Wolfe Award honoree as UMD's most inspirational player for the 2025-26 season. Pierce is a four-time NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete and NCHC Academic All-Conference Team selection, and was a 2024-25 CSC Academic All-District Men's At-Large Team honoree. The gritty blueline from Hermantown, Minn. scored the most goals of his career – three – and had five total points for the Bulldogs this past season. Pierce ended his career with 139 games played and 18 points (4g, 14a), and led UMD invaluably on and off the ice. He was also an alternate captain as a junior.

 
Jerry Chumola Award

After logging a point in over half of the games he played as a freshman, Hunter Anderson was honored with the Jerry Chumola Award as UMD's Rookie of the Year. A product of Manhattan Beach, Calif., Anderson finished his season on a sizzlingly scoring streak of four points (2g, 2a) over three games, including the game-winning goal against Penn State University in the Regional semifinal game. Anderson had 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists this season, which included three power play and game-winning goals. He also had four games with multiple point efforts.

Mike Sertich Award

After a rookie season where he battled injuries, sophomore goaltender Adam Gajan battled back to become one of the best goaltenders in the NCAA, and in turn, received the Mike Sertich Award as the Bulldogs Most Improved Player. A native Poprad, Slovakia, Gajan played 1997 minutes for UMD this past season and logged a 2.25 goals against average. With a record of 19-13-1, Gajan nearly tripled his win total from his rookie campaign (seven), and dropped his GAA down almost an entire goal a game. His play was somehow even better in the postseason, with four games of 27 or more saves.