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Marshall native Mason Plante signs National Letter of Intent to play hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Photo courtesy of Mason Plante Former Marshall boys hockey player Mason Plante signs his National Letter of Intent on Sunday afternoon to play college hockey at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Plante currently plays for the Fairbanks Ice Dogs in the North American Hockey League.

MARSHALL — Since lacing up his skates for the first time as a kid, Mason Plante has long aspired to one day play Division I college hockey. On Sunday at his childhood home, Plante made his long-term goal a reality with the signing of his National Letter of Intent to play college hockey for the University of Alaska-Fairbanks next season.

Plante said the feeling of reaching this milestone is surreal.

“It’s a dream come true. It’s something that I’ve dreamed of since I was a little kid,” said Plante. “It’s been mine and my dad’s goal to play Division I hockey and it’s exciting that the day has finally come.”

Plante thanked his entire family for helping him to get to this point.

“I want to thank my whole family, especially my dad for pushing me to be the best I could be. And my grandma for supporting me all the way,” said Plante.

Plante, a current forward for the North American Hockey League’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs junior hockey team, will finish out the 2020-2021 season before joining the Nanooks of the nine-team Western Collegiate Hockey Association next fall.

Looking ahead to the next chapter in his career, Plante said the opportunity to travel the country playing the game he loves all while receiving an education at a top-notch school is very exciting.

“Being in Alaska we fly everywhere, so being able to travel the world and play the best competition in college hockey and being able to go to school and hang out with the teammates and stuff–I’m just excited for that,” said Plante.

“I haven’t been to school in two years. It’s a great school up there as well along with the hockey team and I’m excited to get back to school as well,” he added.

In signing with the Nanooks, Plante becomes the first Tiger boys hockey player to graduate from Marshall High School and later obtain a DI hockey scholarship. Plante hopes his path will inspire future Marshall hockey players, including his younger brother Talan Plante, who is a current freshman at Marshall High School.

“(It’s) what my dad and I have always said. We stayed here and we want to play for Marshall. We want to wear the orange and black and I think that’s a privilege,” said Plante. “A lot of kids take it for granted these days, but the kids who want to play Division I hockey can do it from wherever you are, it doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter what team, you can do it right where you’re at.”

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