On the surface, the scenario facing Detroit Red Wings prospect Victor Plante is not an uncommon one. Plenty of younger brothers find themselves following in the footsteps of a successful older sibling in all walks of life.
The difference for Victor is he’ll be doing it under public scrutiny as both brothers seek to fashion NHL careers. And he’ll be doing so with the same team.
Well, teams, actually.
This season, both Victor and Max Plante, each of them Red Wings draftees, will be playing NCAA hockey at Minnesota-Duluth. Their older brother Zam, a Pittsburgh Penguins prospect, will also be on the team.
That Max and Victor are both Detroit prospects will connect them in the future in hockey as much as their shared DNA will connect them forever in life. And in following Max, Victor knows he has big skates to fill.
Max Plante was last season’s Hobey Baker Award winner as college hockey’s most outstanding player.
“The year he had this year, I could have seen it coming, just how hard he works all the time,” Victor said of Max. “So he earned it.”
Red Wings Pick Setting His Own Standard
Some hockey people will say that in terms of pure skill, Victor might be better than Max.
What those who know Victor best will also share about him is that he’s his own man. He’s undeniably proud of his brother’s accomplishments. But he’s not the least bit intimidated by being compared to Max.
Max certainly sees that aspect of his younger sibling.
“Even though he was my brother, I feel like he was kind of the player that kind of stuck out to you,” Max said. “Not only on the ice, but just like in the locker room, too.
“I feel like getting to know him, obviously he’s my brother, but just listening to people talk about him, he’s a great kid.”
Others who are around Victor also identify those unique characteristics in him. He doesn’t shy away from the comparisons, because he understands and accepts that under scrutiny, he’ll be able to stand on his own merits.
“I know the family a little bit,” USA World Junior coach Adam Nightingale said. “They’re great, grounded people, and I think they’ve instilled that in their kids.
“Victor, you are Victor, and you don’t have to try to be Max. I think their family’s done a great job of separating that they’re not the same.”