See Red Wings Prospect’s First College Goal

While an injury delayed Detroit Red Wings prospect Max Plante‘s first collegiate goal, it didn’t make it any less enjoyable for the NHL second-round pick.

Plante, the son of former NHLer Derek Plante, generated six shots on goal and put up a goal and an assist in Minnesota-Duluth’s 5-3 loss to the No. 19-ranked Arizona State team.  This is his third game back after being sidelined since early October with an upper body injury. He was hurt in his first game of the season for Minnesota-Duluth.

Here's the first goal of rookie forward Max Plante's Bulldog career! pic.twitter.com/Jwc8ZM4JLt

— UMD Men's Hockey (@UMDMensHockey) December 7, 2024

Now four games into his college career, Plante shows a goal and four assists for five points in four games. He shows 13 shots on goal in the four games.

The Red Wings drafted him 47th overall after a standout career for the U.S. National Team Development Program.

High Hockey IQ

Most scouts raved about Plante’s hockey sense, particularly his knack for making the right play at the right time. Russ Cohen of NHLdraftbuzz.com called Plante the “smartest player” in the 2024 draft.

“Max plays with a lot of pace,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, the director of USA Hockey’s national teams. “Very good IQ and a lot of courage. He’s a winning hockey player who comes from a great line of great hockey players. He is a fun-loving kid.”

His dad Derek played 450 NHL games with the Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers. He also played in Europe.

Max is also the grandson of Bruce Plante,  a legendary high school coach in Hermantown. He retired with a record of 547-197-23. Max isn’t even the first Plante of his generation to be drafted by the NHL. His older brother Zam was drafted in the fifth round by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2020. Zam also played for Minnesota-Duluth.