Three future Bulldogs make NHL draft rankings
A trio of future UMD Bulldogs made NHL Central Scouting’s mid-season 2026 draft rankings.
All three are ranked among North American skaters:
36. Victor Plante
118. Jackson Marthaler
223. Luke Puchner
Plante, of Hermantown, and Marthaler, of Superior, are playing for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program and have signed to play for the Bulldogs in 2026-27. Plante leads the Under-18s in goals with 16 and points with 29 through 33 games this season.
TSN has Plante ranked No. 33 overall — making him an early second round pick — in its draft rankings of the top 63 players for the 2026 draft.
Puchner, who just turned 18, plays for Shattuck-St. Mary’s and will likely play at least one season of juniors in 2026-27 before becoming a Bulldog.
The 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled for June 26-27 in Buffalo.