S8 E26: Awards to the max with Max Plante

Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward Max Plante has been hearing 'congratulations' a lot lately, but he isn't always sure what for. Sure, he has been collecting awards and honors left and right the past couple weeks and last week alone, he was named 2026 NCHC Forward of the Year, 2026 NCHC Player of the Year and a top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award. But, what he and his teammates are seeking is a NCAA championship. The Hermantown native and 2024 second-round draft pick of the Detroit Red Wings joined News Tribune college hockey reporter Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider of My 9 Sports on the Bulldog Insider Podcast this week to discuss those awards, the postseason run that the Bulldogs are on and to answer questions from fans (including his grandma). Max is also asked if he and his brother - and teammate - Zam Plante could play a second sport at UMD like their parents Derek Plante (hockey and baseball) and Kristi (Duncan) Plante (basketball and softball), what would it be; who's the better pickleball player between he and Zam; the possibility of having all three Plante Brothers (Max, Zam and Victor) playing at UMD next season and much more. It is the second time that Max has appeared on the podcast this season. As for this season, while the Bulldogs fell last Saturday in double-overtime in the NCHC championship game at Denver, they're still NCAA Tournament bound. No. 8 UMD (23-14-1) will take on No. 9 Penn State (21-13-2) at 8 p.m. CT on Friday at MVP Arena in Albany, New York, in a NCAA regional semifinal, with the winner advancing to the regional championship at Sunday against either No. 1 Michigan or No. 16 Bentley. Bulldog Insider is co-hosted by Matt Wellens and Zach Schneider. Episodes are edited and produced by Duluth News Tribune digital producers Dan Williamson and Wyatt Buckner. You can find more Bulldog hockey coverage at duluthnewstribune.com and more episodes of Bulldog Insider wherever you listen to podcasts.