When the Detroit Red Wings drafted Max Plante in the second round (47th) of the 2024 NHL draft, Sirius Radio draft analyst Russ Cohen called him the smartest player in the draft class. USA Hockey’s national teams guru John Vanbiesbrouck talked about Plante’s fearlessness and hockey IQ.
Seventeen months later, we can add elite, productive college player to the list of Plante traits. Minnesota-Duluth sophomore Plante, the son of former NHLer Derek Plante, posted two goals and two assists in a 4-3 overtime win against North Dakota.
Max Plante(2nd round’24)
2 Goals 2 Assists +3 4/6SOG 1 Shot block in a 4-3 OTWThe crazy thing is he could have had a couple more points. Great performance from Max and his line. Controlled play when they were out there and produced in a hostile environment. #LGRW
Pt 1 pic.twitter.com/m35vesiphR— Red Wings Prospects (@LGRWProspects) November 1, 2025
With nine goals and nine assists for 18 points in nine games, Plante, 19, is now tied for first in the NCAA scoring race. The only question now is where Plante fits in the rankings of Detroit forward prospects.
Plante plays on a line with his older brother Zam, 21, who has 16 points in nine games. The Pittsburgh Penguins drafted Zam in the fifth round (150th) in 2022.
Listed at 5-foot-11, 176 pounds on the Minnesota-Duluth website, young Plante doesn’t have NHL size. However, it is presumed the Red Wings’ training staff will be able to help Plante move closer to 200 pounds. Carter Mazur was 170 pounds when the Red Wings drafted him. Now he’s a 200 pounder.
The Red Wings have a big problem with having not enough elite playmakers on the team. Well there’s a 55% chance that Max Plante will be the answer to that problem pic.twitter.com/Anj6P8afrh
— despicable ryan (@TheKlenkster) October 27, 2025
Plante makes up for a lack of size with an impressive ability to always be where he needs to be. He takes advantage of his scoring chances. His offensive instincts are professional quality, not surprising given that he says his dad taught him everything he knows about the game.
Meanwhile, Detroit’s 2025 fourth-round pick Brent Solomon (109th) is tied for first in the United States Hockey League scoring race. He boasts 17 points in 13 games for the Sioux Falls Stampede. He committed to play college hockey at Wisconsin.
