Derek Plante Returns to UMD Men’s Hockey Team as Assistant Coach

Plante was inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and finished his career with the Bulldogs tied for second place on the all-time scoring list.

DULUTH, Minn. – Monday, the UMD men’s hockey team announced they are bringing back Hall of Famer Derek Plante for another stint as an assistant coach.

The Cloquet native was on the coaching staff when they won their first national championship in 2011 and he says he’s excited to once again work alongside head coach Scott Sandelin.

“Obviously he’s a very intense guy, but also fun to be around. He’s done a great job here at Duluth, keeping guys on task. It’s been great to see the success he’s had,” said Plante.

Plante spent the past five seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks as a player development coach, and even spent time on the bench with their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. Plante added that coming back to UMD was a no-brainer.

“I think it’s the culture. There’s a culture around here that guys want to be around. It’s fun to be around the locker room. I think there’s an honesty to it. It’s competitive. It’s real. It’s genuine. I think when you get to the higher level at Division I and pro hockey I think guys love and embrace that competitiveness,” Plante said.

Plante was inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004 and finished his career with the Bulldogs tied for second place on the all-time scoring list. He was also a member of the 1999 Dallas Stars team that won the Stanley Cup as well.