Alex Plante
| Birthday: 1989-05-09 | Position: D |
| Eligible for draft: 2007 | Shoots: Right |
| Drafted: 2007 | Height: 6-4 |
| Acquired: 1st round (15th overall), 2007 | Weight: 230 lbs. |
Probability of Success
- C
History
2006-07: In his second full season with the Calgary Hitmen (WHL), Alex Plante potted eight goals and 38 points, career-highs for the defenseman; his 81 penalty minutes were another career-high. 13 additional postseason games resulted in five goals and 11 points for the blue-liner, more personal best numbers. He set a franchise record this season, becoming the only player in Hitmen history to have four power play assists in one game.He also played in the CHL Top Prospects game this year.
2007-08: The Hitmen (WHL) D-man tallied a goal and two points in 36 games this season, his lowest appearance total in his time with Calgary. 15 postseason games resulted in four assists.
2008-09: Serving as assistant captain of the squad, the Calgary Hitmen (WHL) defenseman tallied eight goals and a career-high 45 points this season, his fourth season with the club; his 157 penalty minutes were another career-high. He again excelled in the playoffs, netting six goals and 15 points in 18 games. Expect to see him with Springfield (AHL) in 2009-10 for his first year of professional hockey.
2010-11: Plante skated in three March contests for the Oilers, spending most of his second pro season with Edmonton's AHL affiliate Oklahoma City. He had no points and was -2 with 11 PMs; averaging 15 minutes of ice time per game with the Oilers. In 73 games with Oklahoma City he scored 2 goals with 15 assists, had the team's fourth-best plus/minus (+11) and led the Barons with 138 PMs. He played in five of six playoff games for the Barons and was scoreless and an even plus/minus with 12 PMs.
2011-12: Plante appeared in three games with the Oilers in three separate call-ups during the fall; spending the bulk of his third pro season with Edmonton's AHL affiliate Oklahoma City. He an assist and was an even plus-minus with two penalty minutes; averaging 10:38 minutes of ice time with Edmonton. He suffered a concussion on a hit from Vancouver's Dale Weise in late December and missed nine games. Plante was selected to the AHL All-Star game but could not play due to his injury. He scored 1 goal with 13 assists and was plus-16 with 84 penalty minutes in 41 games for the Barons. Oklahoma City finished first in the West Division and reached playoff semifinals. Plante had 1 assist and was plus-five with 26 penalty minutes in 14 playoff games. He was re-signed to a one-year contract by the Oilers in July 2012.
Talent Analysis
Plante will play his fourth season at the AHL level in Oklahoma City but could be an injury replacement for the Oilers. He has to show that he can remain healthy and learn to limit his defensive mistakes in order to be a shutdown defender.
Future
Plante is running in place and running out of time, at least in the Oilers organization. He was drafted with the knowledge he'd be a project and thus far he hasn't progressed enough to hold off the defensemen drafted and acquired after him. Likely in his last year to make a statement and impress the Oilers, Plante will be on the AHL roster again in 2011-12, looking to stay healthy and show that he can handle the speed and skill of the pro game.
