Only one surefire NHLer in this bunch, and it’s Kleber — but he’s not there yet
"So yeah — I’ll stick with my stubborn verdict: only Kleber looks like a clear top-six NHLer in waiting. The rest are chasing it, and there’s no shame in that." -- Howie Hanson
By HOWIE HANSON
Editor & Publisher
Call me the old crank at the corner of the rink if you want, but after 50-some years squinting through cold glass at hockey rinks from Bemidji to Silver Bay, I’ll trust my eyes over the glossy prospect handouts. Of the eight Bulldogs who packed up fresh gear and shipped out to NHL development camps this summer, only one looks like a future NHL lock — and even he’s far from polished.
That’s sophomore Adam Kleber, the mountain of a right-shot defender who’s over in Buffalo now letting Sabres staffers drool over his size. At 6-foot-5 and pushing 210 pounds, he checks every box you can’t teach. He’s rangy, competitive, and leans on guys the way NHL coaches want. But he’s still growing into his feet and his reads.
Last season for UMD, he showed flashes of being that dominant, snuff-you-out blueliner but also handed out a few nail-biters in his own end. Still — big, right-handed, mobile? Those guys get every chance in the world. I’d bet this is his last season in maroon and gold if he keeps progressing.
Then you’ve got Max Plante, the clever winger in Detroit’s pipeline. Max has that hockey brain that seems to run in the family (his dad, Derek, was practically Duluth hockey royalty before moving behind the Sabres bench as an assistant). Max played mostly second-line minutes last year, chipping in some slick passes and timely work on the penalty kill. The Red Wings like his vision and patience, though he’s still got to get stronger on pucks to survive pro hockey’s trench battles.
Brady Cleveland is a different story — another monster on the back end, 6-foot-5 and rugged as fresh-cut timber. Detroit’s giving him a look for exactly that brand of meat-and-potatoes defense. Could be a long shot for top-six someday, but big boys get extra rope.
Zam Plante — Max’s brother — is skating with Pittsburgh. Zam is smaller, shifty, and scores with a sniper’s confidence. You might remember his run with Hermantown where he piled up video-game numbers. With the Bulldogs last season he was streaky, but you could see the hands and the burst. The Penguins are hoping he might blossom into a skilled middle-six winger if he can keep adding strength and consistency.
Ty Hanson, also at Pittsburgh’s camp, is a nifty puck-mover on the blue line. A Hermantown kid with a ton of offensive instincts, Ty jumps into the rush like he’s got a forward’s soul. Sometimes that gets him in trouble, but it’s exactly why the Penguins are intrigued. They love defensemen who can transport the puck in today’s game. Still raw defensively — he’ll need another couple of years at UMD ironing that out.
Adam Gajan might be the most fascinating wild card of the bunch. He’s over in Chicago colors, after turning heads at the World Juniors with Slovakia. Athletic, unflappable, and has a real flair for the big save. UMD’s hoping he grabs the starter’s crease this season, because if he does, watch out. Goalies are voodoo, but he’s got the toolkit to be special.
Jason Shaugabay is Tampa Bay’s project from Warroad — a smallish forward who sees the ice beautifully and makes sneaky, smart plays that leave defensemen staring at each other. In flashes with UMD, he showed exactly why the Lightning grabbed him: he can dish, he can score in traffic, and he’s sneaky competitive. But he’s going to have to bulk up and learn to handle the heavier game.
And finally there’s Callum Arnott, also skating for Tampa. The big centerman didn’t have eye-popping stats last year, but he’s hard to play against. He’ll go to the greasy spots, tie up sticks, win a few faceoffs, and generally muck it up. Those types earn NHL looks because they fill important bottom-six roles if they can figure it all out.
So yeah — I’ll stick with my stubborn verdict: only Kleber looks like a clear top-six NHLer in waiting. The rest are chasing it, and there’s no shame in that. They’re young, they’re learning, and they’re good enough to have NHL clubs wanting another peek.
Come October 3 in Fairbanks, we’ll get the next clue on who’s really building toward that dream. Until then, pencil Kleber in at the top of your “future NHL Bulldog” list — but keep your eraser handy, because hockey has a funny way of humbling even the surest bets.
That’s the puck truth, from a guy who’s watched this dance a thousand times.
