Victor Plante – 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Profile – The Hockey Writers – NHL Entry Draft

2025–26 Team: U.S. National Team Development Program (NTDP)
Date of Birth: March 10, 2008
Place of Birth: Hermantown, MN, USA
Height: 5-foot-10, Weight: 157 pounds
Shoots: Left
Position: Left Wing
NHL Draft Eligibility: 2026 first-year eligible

Rankings

Victor Plante, the younger brother of NHL-drafted Max and Zam, was one of the top players for the NTDP this season. The University of Minnesota Duluth commit recorded 19 goals and 21 assists in 50 games, ranking fourth on the team in points.

Despite his pedigree—most public scouts have him in their top 50—Plante isn’t all that flashy. He’s not the type of player who depends on constant puck touches to make an impact. So, what’s the hype about?

Plenty of teams hunt prospects with a high-end motor, and Plante falls under that umbrella. Though the NTDP’s offense didn’t revolve around him, he was always engaged at both ends of the ice. He was rewarded with all-situations usage: even strength, penalty kill, and power play.

While Plante is undersized, he is a pest on the forecheck and has plus skating ability. This gives him some of the most essential tools to become a useful NHL forward in any coach’s system: motor, two-way engagement, and skating. His game can be widely appreciated at the next level.

Plante is also an intelligent player. A decent chunk of his production is achieved through taking advantage of space, being at the right place at the right time, and showcasing above-average vision.

Now, Plante’s offensive game doesn’t stand out enough for me to indicate top-six potential. He plays more like a third-liner—someone who brings energy, smarts, and a little bit of skill.

With that said, Plante’s outlook could reach middle-six status, especially if he shows out for Minnesota Duluth in a comparable manner to his brother, Max. College will be a solid litmus test for the 18-year-old.

Other THW Draft Profiles

Victor Plante – NHL Draft Projection

Plante’s style of play can be appreciated by just about anyone. That level of versatility, along with his family’s relevance, should lead to a second-round selection.

Quotables

“All in all, I like the work ethic and how Plante thinks the game. Those 2 facets, paired with strong skating makes me believe he has what it takes to be a pro someday. I’m less confident in the actual tools he possesses, and I think that the offensive upside is capped with a player of his profile.” – Luke Sweeney, DobberProspects

“Plante’s game has improved a lot this season. He knows how to fake the shot and make a pass to set up a scoring chance. He’s still not a point-per-game player, but he is inching toward that. His release looks faster, and that’s something that causes problems for opposing goaltenders. He can also wait that half second for a goalie to flinch, and that helps him get some goals.” – Russ Cohen, Elite Prospects

“The two-way threat is a bit undersized, but he makes up for it by being consistently engaged in the offensive zone. Plante often forces opponents to give the puck away by consistently applying pressure. I like his old brother, Max, and I feel like Victor can reignite first-round talks if he has an explosive showing here, too.” – Steven Ellis, Daily Faceoff

Strengths

• Motor
• Skating
• Two-way play
• Vision

Under Construction – Improvements to Make

• More of a complementary player than a star
• Offensive upside
• Size

NHL Potential

As mentioned previously, Plante has the tools to become a third-line forward. The motor, skating, two-way play, and vision are all valuable traits.

Risk – 2/5, Reward – 3.5/5

Fantasy Hockey Potential

Offense – 6/10, Defense – 6/10

Awards/Achievements

• 2022–23 HPHL 14U Champion
• 2023–24 US 15U Nationals Tier I Champion
• 2023–24 USA-S15 Champion
• 2024–25 U17 WHC All-Star Team
• 2024–25 U17 WHC Most Assists (7)

Interviews/Links

Victor Plante Stats

Videos

VICTOR PLANTE SCORES THE SUPER OVERTIME WINNER 🥇

Team USA wins the #CHLUSAProspectsChallenge. pic.twitter.com/aqpnF7MRlE

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2025

Victor Plante converts on the turnover to make it 2-1 USA!#CHLUSAProspectsChallenge pic.twitter.com/XGUiMBp6NA

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) November 27, 2025