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Bullogs sophomore forward Max Plante has been named to the preliminary roster for the 2026 U.S. Men’s National Team that will compete at the upcoming IIHF Men’s World Championship in Zurich and Fribourg, Switzerland.
The tournament runs May 15-31 and features 16 national teams in one of international hockey’s premier annual events. Team USA enters as the defending world champion after capturing gold at the 2025 tournament and is seeking back-to-back titles for the first time in program history.
Plante, a Hermantown native and Detroit Red Wings draft pick, emerged this past season as one of college hockey’s most dynamic offensive players while helping lead Minnesota Duluth through a major turnaround season. The sophomore forward won the 2026 Hobey Baker Award after finishing with 25 goals and 52 points for the Bulldogs.
He is one of several NCAA players invited to the preliminary roster, which includes a blend of NHL veterans, young professional prospects and top collegiate talent expected to compete for final roster spots before the Americans depart for Switzerland.
Former Bulldogs defenseman Justin Faulk, now with the Detroit Red Wings, also was named to the preliminary roster. At 34, Faulk is currently the oldest player listed on the U.S. squad and brings extensive NHL and international experience to Team USA.
Faulk starred at UMD before helping the Bulldogs win the 2011 NCAA national championship and later establishing himself as one of the NHL’s steady veteran defensemen.
The preliminary U.S. roster includes goaltenders Drew Commesso, Devin Cooley and Joseph Woll; defensemen Will Borgen, Declan Carlile, Connor Clifton, Faulk, Wyatt Kaiser, Mason Lohrei, Ryan Lindgren and Zeev Buium; and forwards Matt Coronato, Paul Cotter, James Hagens, Isaac Howard, Sam Lafferty, Ryker Lee, Ryan Leonard, Oliver Moore, Danny Nelson, Tommy Novak, Mathieu Olivier, Plante, Max Sasson and Matthew Tkachuk.
The Americans will open tournament play May 15 against host Switzerland in Zurich.
The IIHF Men’s World Championship annually serves as the highest-profile international men’s hockey tournament outside the Winter Olympics, drawing many of the world’s top professional and amateur players after the NHL regular season concludes.
