Five University of Minnesota Duluth men's hockey players -- sophomore defenseman Ty Hanson, sophomore defenseman Adam Kleber, senior defenseman Joey Pierce, sophomore forward Max Plante and sophomore forward Zam Plante were named to the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District® Men's At-Large Team Tuesday. The award recognizes the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom, the CSC Academic All-America® program separately recognizes athlete honorees in four divisions — NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III and NAIA.

Hanson carries a 3.74 cumulative GPA in Finance, and earns the honor in his first year of eligibility. The Hermantown, Minn, native and a 2025-26 CCM/AHCA Hockey All-American, Hanson will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. First-, Second- and Third-team Academic All-America® honorees will be announced July 7, 2026.

Kleber owns a 3.64 cumulative GPA in Marketing, and picks up his first academic district honor as a sophomore. The product of Chaska, Minn. and NCHC's Defensive Defenseman of the Year this past season, Kleber will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members. 

Team captain Pierce graduated in May with a degree in Management and a 3.58 cumulative GPA as a Bulldog. Pierce is now a two-time selection after earning 2024-25 CSC Academic All-District honors a year ago.

2026 Hobey Baker Award winner Max Plante earns his first selection on the district academic team with a 3.58 cumulative GPA in Communications. The Hermantown, Minn. native, who earned numerous other awards this season, including USA Hockey's College Player of the Year, USCHO's Player of the Year, was a First Team 2025-26 CCM/AHCA Hockey All-American and the NCHC Player of the Year, will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members.

Zam Plante turned in a 3.71 cumulative GPA after his sophomore season to earn his first academic district selection. Plante, a Hermantown, Minn. majoring in Management who was a All-NCHC Third Team honoree this season and will advance to the national ballot to be voted on by CSC members.