Detroit — It’s all still a bit new, and the Plante brothers haven’t given a ton of thought.
But Max and Victor Plante, both Red Wings prospects now after Victor was drafted in Saturday’s second round, have briefly considered the opportunity to play with their older brother Zam, who happens to be a Pittsburgh Penguins draft pick.
Now, all three will be playing together at Minnesota-Duluth this winter. But the chance to be together in an NHL organization, that would be extra special.
“We didn’t really go Steve (Yzerman, general manager), but I was kind of telling Drapes (Kris Draper, director of amateur scouting) the other day how we have to let him graduate and he’ll be a free agent,” Max said after Monday’s first day of Wings’ development camp. “He has a couple years more of college.
“Obviously it’s (all) pretty recent. He (Zam) is probably pretty jealous Victor was picked by Detroit and not Pittsburgh.”
Zam is 21 and a junior at Duluth, as is Max, who’s 20. Victor is 18 and an incoming freshman. So that opportunity, in itself, will be memorable. It was also a key reason Max, the reigning Hobey Baker Award winner (best college hockey player), returned to Duluth to have the opportunity to play with his two brothers.
“I didn’t think about it too much that it would be my last college year, but after the success we had (as a team, eliminated by Michigan in regional final), not only myself but the guys on the team, more guys had an opportunity to sign pro and get to the next level but we kind of wanted to accomplish something in Duluth,” Max said. “It’s something I felt like I wanted to do, not only for my teammates but to play with him (Victor) and my older brother together, it would be a lot of fun.”
Max had 25 goals and 52 points in 40 games, with a plus-19 plus-minus rating. After a 28-point freshman season, he exploded offensively and after being a Wings second-round pick the previous year, stamped himself as an intriguing NHL prospect.
“That was something you don’t expect coming into the year,” Max said of the Hobey Baker. “Everyone has goals. But individual goals like that, as the season progressed and I had some individual success, it was something that could happen and when it did, it still didn’t feel real.
“It’s not often a player goes back (to college after winning the Hobey) but I feel like the situation I’m going back into at Duluth, it’s something not a lot of people have an opportunity to do so.”
Victor wasn’t surprised by Max’s accomplishments.
“His work ethic and personality, it’s so great,” Victor said. “He always has a smile on his face and he works so hard in the gym. The year he had this year, I could see it coming, the way he works. He earned it.”
Seeing Victor get drafted by the Wings on Saturday was a thrill for Max.
“Pretty unreal, awesome,” Max said. “That we can play together next year (at Duluth) but the opportunity in the future we can play at the top level together, that’s pretty cool.
“He competes the whole time. A lot of people look at stats, and he had quite bit of points (48 at US national team program) but was a player that stuck out for you, not just on the ice but in the locker room,” Max said. “I know he’s my brother but the way people talk about him, he’s a great kid.”
This is Max’s second development camp with the Wings’ and first for Victor, who is taking in the atmosphere and knowledge every minute.
“Just learn as much as I can from the coaching staff here, the skills development, gym staff,” Victor said. “They’re telling me what I need to get better at and I’m trying to learn as much as I can. I’m excited to get into it and keep learning.”
Both Plantes are excited about the chance of playing with Zam on one shift next season at Duluth. Coach Scott Sandelin has promised the three brothers they’ll play a shift together at some point.
“Pretty cool,” Max said of the opportunity. “We’ve never played together. Even in the summer, two guys would be one team against the one other guy. We’ve never had all three on the same team. I’ve only gotten to play with my older brother (Zam).”
One thing Max and Victor can both agree on. Yes, their father Derek, a former longtime NHL player has the honor right now of being in that club, but who is the best Plante on the ice currently?
“We would definitely dust him,” Max said.
tkulfan@detroitnews.com
@tkulfan
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Red Wings’ Max, Victor Plante look forward to Duluth reunion with 3rd brother
Reporting by Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Ted Kulfan, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
