Just two years ago Zam Plante helped the Hermantown boys hockey team win a state championship. Now, he’s already thriving in his first collegiate season with the University of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey team. That is thanks in-part to his unique face-off style, that he attributes to his dad Derek Plante and former NHL star Matt Cullen, and his skills at playing both the wing and center positions.

“It’s not like I’m going to D, right? But yeah, just moving around a little bit and just trying to figure out where to play and how to do it to the best of my abilities,” Plante said.

As for Plante’s faceoff, captain Dominic James called it “unorthodox” and said he “thinks he’s better on his forehand than his backhand”.

Plante added that he’s excited for his brother Max’s eventual return from injury to up his own, and the Bulldogs’, production. Currently he’s sitting with one goal and three assists in seven games played. UMD head coach Scott Sandelin said that Max could return as soon as next week, but that is not guaranteed.

The Bulldogs (3-4) host a mega National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) opening foe this weekend in the No. 10 University of North Dakota (3-4). Puck drop is 7:07 p.m. Friday, and 6:07 p.m. Saturday, at AMSOIL Arena.