The college hockey world has crowned its king for the 2025-26 season. Max Plante of the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs has been named the winner of the prestigious Hobey Baker Memorial Trophy, awarded annually to the top player in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey.

Plante secured the honor over fellow Hobey Hat Trick finalists Eric Pohlkamp of the University of Denver and T.J. Hughes of the University of Michigan. The announcement was made on April 10th at a ceremony in Las Vegas, held in conjunction with the 2026 Frozen Four.

The sophomore forward's victory caps a remarkable season where he was also named the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Player of the Year. On the ice, Plante was a dominant force, finishing the campaign with 52 points—the highest total by a Bulldog in over a decade. His performance against tournament-bound teams was particularly impressive, notching 15 points in 14 games.

Hockey excellence runs in the family. Max's father, Derek Plante, was also a Hobey Baker Finalist during his collegiate career. The younger Plante now etches his name in history as the tenth Bulldog ever nominated and the first to win the award since defenseman Scott Perunovich in 2020.

Already a Detroit Red Wings prospect after being selected 47th overall in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft, Plante's Hobey Baker win solidifies his status as one of hockey's most promising young talents. As the Denver Pioneers and Wisconsin Badgers prepared to face off for the national championship, the night belonged to Max Plante, college hockey's newest standard-bearer.