Quickness is the name of the game for Zam Plante as he plays the game fast and with precision. Plante’s hockey IQ and motor are two of many assets he possesses that aid the quickness in his game. He does a fabulous job mentally processing the play and translating it into scoring opportunities. To put it plain and simple, Plante reads the play and finds the holes in the coverage. He creates space with swift stickwork, nimble navigation, and touch passing.
Plante is not a large player, just 5’9, 160-pounds, but he plays his best in the tough areas of the ice. Plante’s bread and butter is his play in the slot as he uses quick pivots and instant bursts to create separation. There is no messing around when on the attack as he’s making plays or putting big-league shots on goal, nothing is indecisive. Of his 10 USHL goals this season, nine of them were scored by outworking the opposition and being creative in the slot. Plante’s stick work deep in the slot attributes to a lot of this success, where time is at a premium, and Plante makes the most of it.
Plante uses the ice well, stretching out the D-Zone by using exceptional puck control and passing. Plante doesn’t illustrate passes, instead keeps his head on a swivel, waiting for the most opportune time to strike. Plante is so elusive on the ice and when defenders do track him down, it is very difficult to put a clean check on him. While Plante does do well in the slot and corners, he will have to add a great deal of strength before playing at the top level, this is most evident when he is pressuring a larger, skilled puck carrier.
Plante has a good work ethic and a strong drive for the game, he’s categorized as more of a team player than an individual. Plante, a future University of Minnesota-Duluth Bulldog, was a key part of the Hermantown Hawks winning the Class A Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament Championship. Plante also has the hockey bloodlines going for him as his father Derek played in 450 NHL games.
NHL Central Scouting ranked Zam 64th among North American Skaters in their final rankings, projecting him to be a third or fourth round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Zam is one of the younger prospects in the draft, an aspect that will be considered come draft day. The NHL club that selects Plante are can assure his future development is in good hands with Chicago of the USHL next season and UMD after that. This is a high reward player in the draft, and teams have the possibility of getting this highly skilled player 60+ picks into the draft.
| DOB | 8/24/2004 |
| HEIGHT | 5’9 |
| WEIGHT | 161 |
| POSITION | Center |
| TEAM | Hermantown HS/Chicago (USHL) |
| College Commitment | University of Minnesota-Duluth |
KEY ATTRIBUTES: Acceleration, Mobility, Shot Accuracy, Shot Release, Stickhandling, Puck Protection, Work Ethic, Attitude, Consistency, Conditioning, Passing, Decision Making, Anticipation, Positioning