Detroit Red Wings prospect Max Plante, the Red Wings’ second-round pick in 2024 and the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner, has moved into non-contact work at practice with Minnesota Duluth as he works back from an injury that has kept him out since early October. Bulldogs head coach Scott Sandelin described the progress to Matt Wellens of the Duluth News Tribune this week, and Detroit Hockey Now relayed the update Thursday. No return date has been given.

Plante, a junior and Bulldogs co-captain, was hurt on Oct. 2. Mitten Hockey reported on Oct. 13 that he was out week-to-week with what was then described as an upper-body injury; Detroit Hockey Now identified it Thursday as a shoulder injury. Sandelin noted that the injury has allowed Plante to keep skating throughout, saying, “He’s been skating for a while.” The step now, he said, is taking part in more of the team’s non-contact drills.

A season on hold

Plante passed on signing with Detroit last spring to return to Duluth for what he has called his final college season, playing alongside older brother Zam, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, and younger brother Victor, a Red Wings draft pick who joined the Bulldogs this fall. He won the Hobey Baker last season after scoring 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games.

The three brothers have barely had a chance to play together. Zam has kept Duluth’s offense going with 12 points in 12 games, according to Detroit Hockey Now, while Victor scored his first college goal in a three-point night in October.

Plante also missed time as a freshman with an upper-body injury, when he was held to 23 games but still produced 28 points.

Sources

• Red Wings Prospect Max Plante Skating Again for Bulldogs (Detroit Hockey Now, Max Smith)
• Arnott ruled out, Max Plante getting closer to return for UMD (Duluth News Tribune, Matt Wellens)
• Hobey’s Home! Max Plante Becomes UMD Hockey’s Seventh Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winner (UMD Athletics)
• Mitten Hockey: Red Wings prospect Max Plante out week-to-week with upper-body injury at Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 13, 2026)
• Mitten Hockey: Red Wings prospect Victor Plante scores first college goal in three-point night for Minnesota Duluth (Oct. 18, 2026)