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Zam Plante embodies the Hermantown hockey spirit M A R C H 2 0 2 2 | M H J ON L I N E . C O M 21 SLIGHT SETBACK A dozen or so years later, and Plante is averaging nearly 3 points per game A dozen or so years later, and Plante is averaging nearly 3 points per game as one of the leaders in that Hermantown locker room. Despite missing as one of the leaders in that Hermantown locker room. Despite missing almost a third of the season with an injury, he was still one of the top point almost a third of the season with an injury, he was still one of the top point getters in the state. getters in the state. Coming back from injury wasn't new to Plante, having missed time each Coming back from injury wasn't new to Plante, having missed time each of the last two seasons as well. The process doesn't get easier, but there is of the last two seasons as well. The process doesn't get easier, but there is one benefit. one benefit. " You understand what you need to do to get back," Plante said. " You focus " You understand what you need to do to get back," Plante said. " You focus more on keeping your lungs, staying in shape and picking up on things more on keeping your lungs, staying in shape and picking up on things that—even though you're not playing—you can still pick up on just being in that—even though you're not playing—you can still pick up on just being in the locker room and watching the game." the locker room and watching the game." The self-discipline Plante has as a player is impressive to his coach, Pat The self-discipline Plante has as a player is impressive to his coach, Pat A ndrews. For instance, when he worked his way back from injury this sea- A ndrews. For instance, when he worked his way back from injury this sea- son, he'd go to the rink and bag-skate himself. son, he'd go to the rink and bag-skate himself. "That 's not normal," A ndrews said. "Normal teenage kids don't do that. "That 's not normal," A ndrews said. "Normal teenage kids don't do that. He goes to the rink and works on what he needs to get better." He goes to the rink and works on what he needs to get better." AM PLANTE is finishing up his second year playing varsi- is finishing up his second year playing varsi- ty hockey for Hermantown, but he's been around that locker ty hockey for Hermantown, but he's been around that locker room since he was 5 years old. room since he was 5 years old. Zam's grandpa, former longtime Hermantown coach Bruce Zam's grandpa, former longtime Hermantown coach Bruce Plante, let him hang out with the high school team. Plante, let him hang out with the high school team. Zam would sit on players' laps in the locker room during Zam would sit on players' laps in the locker room during intermissions. Players like Dylan Samberg, who now plays intermissions. Players like Dylan Samberg, who now plays for the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL. for the Winnipeg Jets in the NHL. "Dylan Samberg, he was my best friend back then," Zam "Dylan Samberg, he was my best friend back then," Zam quipped. "To us he was our best friend, because we were 5 and quipped. "To us he was our best friend, because we were 5 and he was a senior and let us come sit by him in between periods." he was a senior and let us come sit by him in between periods." Z Z b y H E AT H E R R U L E Plante's high hockey IQ keeps him a step ahead of the competition.