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BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Detroit Red Wings have doubled down on one of hockey's most recognizable Minnesota families.
Detroit selected University of Minnesota Duluth recruit Victor Plante with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2026 NHL Draft on Saturday, giving the organization NHL rights to both Plante brothers after drafting older brother Max two years earlier.
The selection creates a remarkable bit of symmetry. Max Plante was also chosen by the Red Wings with the 47th overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NHL Draft, making Victor's selection an almost unbelievable repeat of history.
Victor, a 5-foot-10, 165-pound left wing from Hermantown, spent the 2025-26 season with USA Hockey's National Team Development Program Under-18 team, where he showcased the offensive instincts and two-way game that made him one of the top American prospects in this year's draft. He is committed to Minnesota Duluth, where he is expected to join brothers Max and Zam next season in one of college hockey's most anticipated family reunions.
Detroit had been linked to Victor throughout the pre-draft process after scouting his development with the U.S. National Team Development Program. Before the draft, Plante acknowledged meeting with Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and said the opportunity to join the same organization as Max would be special, calling Detroit a "class act organization."
The youngest son of former NHL forward Derek Plante, Victor becomes the third member of the family to hear his name called in the NHL Draft. Older brother Zam Plante was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2022, while Max has emerged into one of college hockey's brightest stars after capturing the 2026 Hobey Baker Award at Minnesota Duluth.
For the Red Wings, the selection adds another skilled, intelligent forward to an organization that already has a close relationship with the Plante family.
