Independent file photo Former Marshall boys hockey player Mason Plante fires a shot during a game against Minnesota River on Jan. 5, 2019. Plante recently made a verbal commitment to play DI hockey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

MARSHALL – Less than a year ago in June, Marshall hockey’s all-time scoring leader Mason Plante signed a North American Hockey League tender to continue his career with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in Alaska after a dominant senior season with the Tigers.

Clearly unfazed by the frigid weather, Plante made an announcement last month that will make Fairbanks his home for five more years with his commitment to play Division I college hockey for the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

With Plante’s commitment, he becomes the first Marshall boys hockey player to play for the Tigers through his senior season and later obtain a scholarship to play DI hockey.

Plante said the opportunity to play collegiate hockey is something he’s been striving for since he was a kid.

“It’s a big dream come true. It’s what I’ve always wanted since I was a little kid. It’s what I’ve always worked for and being from a small town like Marshall it’s a little harder to get here, especially with my size and I lack a little bit in speed,” said Plante. “Coming (to Fairbanks) was big for me getting back into the groove of hockey and it’s a little bit faster pace.”

In the past, promising hockey players from Marshall have left before the start of their high school career to play elsewhere in the hope that it will better prepare them to play collegiately.

Carving out his own path, Plante says the opportunity to leave prior to the start of high school was always there, but he is happy to have stayed home and hopes his journey can inspire other Marshall hockey players like his brother in the future.

“I think it’s huge, you know and I look at it for my brother (Talan) too. My brother’s going to be the same way,” said Plante. “I’ve always had a chance to leave Marshall, it’s just Marshall’s home. For younger kids, you can still work your butt off and practice in Marshall too. You can do all of the summer things you want but Marshall’s always going to be your home and you should always come back to that. Coach (Michael) Weiss there is a great coach. Scott (Mellenthin), (Aaron) Schroeder and Jimmy Haynes, they all know what they’re doing. It’s just the amount of work you put into obtaining your goals. I just want kids to know that they can still do it from wherever they are.”

Before Plante makes the jump to DI hockey, he will finish out the current season and will likely play another full season next year with the Ice Dogs. Through 48 games played as a rookie at the junior level, Plante has posted 30 points with 12 goals and 18 assists–a statline that led him to be invited to participate in the NAHL Top Prospects tournament in Attleboro, Massachusetts.

Before leaving to compete in the tournament, Plante was notified by his coach that UAF was interested in recruiting him. Before long, he had made his decision on where he would continue his hockey playing career.

“It happened really, really fast,” said Plante. “They came to one of our games the Friday before (Top Prospects). I got to chat with Coach (Joe) Howe after the game. He really liked my game and then they had me visit on like Monday or Tuesday. I visited (and) they offered me right there. I just had to have my decision made after (Top Prospects). It was fast, but it was how I wanted it I guess. I didn’t want the pressure of sitting there trying to figure out what I wanted to do. It seemed right and it just happened.”

While Plante prepares for the next step in his hockey career with the Ice Dogs, he will soon be reunited with a very familiar face in former Marshall teammate Kaleb Welvaert, who will join the team for the 2020-2021 season. Plante says he can’t wait for Welvaert to get up to Fairbanks.

“We’re relatives so we talk pretty much everyday about it and he’s just excited to get up here as I’m excited to have him up here,” said Plante. “It’s a special place here in Fairbanks, the fans here are just nuts. You’re treated like a king honestly. I mean it’s crazy, and I’m just excited for him to get into that atmosphere and get away from home a little bit. Get away from mom and just have each other’s backs and I’m just excited for him to get up here.”

The two Marshall hockey standouts will play under coach Trevor Stewart, whom Plante thanks for giving him the opportunity to play juniors which in turn led to his commitment to play collegiately.

“I just can’t thank coach (Trevor) Stewart enough for taking a chance on a small kid from Marshall, Minnesota,” said Plante.