LAS VEGAS – The best player in college hockey plans on playing in Detroit – eventually.
Minnesota Duluth's Max Plante, who won the 2026 Hobey Baker Memorial Award as college hockey's top player, says he plans on returning to the Bulldogs for his junior season in 2026-27 instead of joining the Detroit Red Wings organization, which selected him in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft.
Plante recorded 52 points over 40 games for the Bulldogs and was also named a first-team All-American during the Hobey Baker ceremony at the Park MGM Hotel in Las Vegas on Friday, April 10.
Michigan forward T.J. Hughes (13) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan head coach Brandon Naurato waves at fans as the team arrives for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Lisa Allmendinger of Chelsea, left, and Sheri Kaiser of Shelby Township cheer on as they watch Michigan hockey fan perform before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan hockey players arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan forward Nick Moldenhauer (9) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026From left, Michigan fans Aaron Maltby, daughter Jessica Maltby 16, and son Jesse Maltby, 16, before Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan forward Kienan Draper (33) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan forward Josh Eernisse (6) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Former Michigan hockey head coach Red Berenson speaks before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Beth Ressler of A Judge Ramona See anderson nv hat arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan alumni Beth Ressler of Ann Arbor, left, and Ramona See of Anderson, NE pose for a photo before before the Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan Frozen Four pins at the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Kieran Heung of Ann Arbor plays a game of rocket shot before Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan alumni Brian Axelsen, left, and Luke Van Namen pose for a photo with the national championship trophy before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan fan Rick Wosek of South Lyon smiles as he see his fan spray in the mirror before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan fan Rick Wosek of South Lyon smiles with stylists Jain Alkhouri and Kaleo Leomiti who worked on the fan spray for Wosek before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Sean Hoffman and Katie Hoffman, both of Chicago cheer on as they watch Michigan hockey fan perform before Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan hockey band perform before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel speaks before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan defenseman Ben Robertson (21) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Hockey fans walk by a wall of college hockey jerseys before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan alumni Kurt Spackman and his son Jesse Spackman, both of San Diego pose for a photo before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Rick Wosek of South Lyon plays a game of rocket shot before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Michigan goaltender Julian Molinaro (34) waves at fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026Chris Fagel of Toronto, plays corn holes before the Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20261 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan forward T.J. Hughes (13) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20261 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan forward T.J. Hughes (13) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20262 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan head coach Brandon Naurato waves at fans as the team arrives for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20263 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasLisa Allmendinger of Chelsea, left, and Sheri Kaiser of Shelby Township cheer on as they watch Michigan hockey fan perform before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20264 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan hockey players arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20265 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan forward Nick Moldenhauer (9) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20266 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasFrom left, Michigan fans Aaron Maltby, daughter Jessica Maltby 16, and son Jesse Maltby, 16, before Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20267 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan forward Kienan Draper (33) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20268 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan forward Josh Eernisse (6) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 20269 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasFormer Michigan hockey head coach Red Berenson speaks before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202610 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasBeth Ressler of A Judge Ramona See anderson nv hat arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202611 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan alumni Beth Ressler of Ann Arbor, left, and Ramona See of Anderson, NE pose for a photo before before the Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202612 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan Frozen Four pins at the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202613 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasKieran Heung of Ann Arbor plays a game of rocket shot before Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202614 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan alumni Brian Axelsen, left, and Luke Van Namen pose for a photo with the national championship trophy before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202615 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan fan Rick Wosek of South Lyon smiles as he see his fan spray in the mirror before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202616 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan fan Rick Wosek of South Lyon smiles with stylists Jain Alkhouri and Kaleo Leomiti who worked on the fan spray for Wosek before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202617 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasSean Hoffman and Katie Hoffman, both of Chicago cheer on as they watch Michigan hockey fan perform before Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202618 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan hockey band perform before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202619 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan athletic director Warde Manuel speaks before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202620 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan defenseman Ben Robertson (21) shakes hands with fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202621 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasHockey fans walk by a wall of college hockey jerseys before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202622 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan alumni Kurt Spackman and his son Jesse Spackman, both of San Diego pose for a photo before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202623 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasRick Wosek of South Lyon plays a game of rocket shot before the Frozen Four semifinals at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202624 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasMichigan goaltender Julian Molinaro (34) waves at fans as the team arrive for Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 202625 / 25Michigan hockey takes on Denver in Frozen Four semifinal in Los VegasChris Fagel of Toronto, plays corn holes before the Frozen Four semifinal at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Thursday, April 9, 2026AWARD SZN: Max Plante, Detroit Red Wings prospect, wins Hobey Baker Award
"I'm not planning on going [to the Red Wings], I'm planning on coming back next year," he said after the ceremony, crediting the arrival of his younger brother Victor Plante in Duluth next season as a key reason for his return. With his older brother Zam Plante already on the Bulldogs, the three Plante brothers look to lead a talented Minnesota Duluth roster next season.
The Bulldogs advanced to the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament before falling, 4-3, to the 1-seed Michigan Wolverines in Albany, New York, one win short of making the Frozen Four. Plante said that winning a national championship is a high priority for him coming into next season.
"To play with two brothers at that high a level, to try to achieve something I haven't achieved yet in winning a championship, that's the goal that I had coming into college hockey," he said. "It's a super-special place to be, and I just wanted to give it one last shot."
The Wings have already lured one college star to the pros, as Michigan State goalie Trey Augustine (a South Lyon native) opted to sign an entry-level contract (which will kick in next season) after his Spartans were eliminated in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Augustine was also honored on Friday, winning the Mike Richter Award as the top college goalie this season.
He didn't receive the award in person, however, as he had another milestone: He made his first pro start, playing for the Grand Rapids Griffins on an amateur tryout contract. Augustine gave up three goals on 29 shots in a 4-1 loss to the Chicago Wolves, the Chicago Blackhawks' AHL affiliate.
Though the Red Wings will have to wait another year before getting Plante into their system, it doesn't seem like they're in a rush to do so.
"Detroit left it up to me," he said. "Obviously, it was probably one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, but going with my gut I feel like this is the right thing to do."
The 20-year-old Minnesota native showed gratitude to the Red Wings for how they have treated his college process and said he looks forward to joining the league one day.
"It's unbelievable to show just how much trust the Red Wings have in not only me, but also Duluth to keep me going and pushing me to be at that next level," he said.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Max Plante, Hobey Baker winner, won't join Detroit Red Wings in 2026