UMD Hockey Stars Kleber and Plante Named to 2026 U.S. National Junior Team Preliminary Roster
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The university of Minnesota Duluth (UMD) men’s hockey program is well-represented on the preliminary roster for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team, announced Monday by USA Hockey, with sophomores Adam Kleber and max Plante earning selections. this recognition comes on the heels of a successful 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship run where both players contributed to a gold medal victory – the Bulldogs’ first gold medalists since 2017.
Building on Past Success
Kleber and Plante were instrumental in the U.S.’s gold medal performance at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship last January. Plante delivered a key primary assist on the second goal in the championship game, finishing the tournament with one goal and two assists in six games played. Kleber also played in all six games, registering an assist and a notable +5 plus/minus rating.
Did you know?– The U.S. team’s 2025 gold medal win was a meaningful achievement. It marked the first time since 2017 that UMD players contributed to a gold medal victory. Both Kleber and Plante played key roles in the championship run.
Dominating the NCAA this Season
Currently, both players are experiencing remarkable seasons with UMD. Plante is leading the nation in scoring with an impressive 26 points – comprised of 13 goals and 13 assists – in just 16 games. This translates to an NCAA-best 1.63 points per game average.The Hermantown, Minnesota native also ranks second nationally with two shorthanded goals, third with three game-winning goals, and fifth with a +16 plus/minus rating.
Kleber is also making a significant impact,currently tied for the ninth-highest plus/minus rating in the NCAA at +14. The Chaska, Minnesota product has contributed two goals and one assist so far this season, including one game-winning goal. Both Kleber and Plante are key components of a Bulldogs team boasting the fifth-ranked penalty kill (89.5%) and the sixth-ranked power play (28.1%) in the nation.
Pro tip:– Keep an eye on Plante and Kleber’s performance this season. Their strong play with UMD is a good indicator of their potential impact on the 2026 U.S.National Junior Team. Their stats are impressive.
Road to the 2026 championship
The U.S. squad will begin preparations for the 50th anniversary of the IIHF World Junior Championship with a gathering in St. Paul, Minnesota, on December 14th. The team will then travel to Duluth for a camp running from December 15th through December 23rd. Final roster announcements are anticipated on December 24th. The tournament itself will be held from December 26th through January 5th, with games taking place at Grand Casino Arena in St.Paul and 3M Arena at Mariucci in minneapolis, Minnesota.
for further details,interested parties can visit the Team USA landing page for the event HERE.
