The Montreal Canadiens made news when traded to move up five spots a few hours before the 2024 NHL draft, securing the 21st overall pick. After much debate about the goal of the trade, the Habs used the pick to select forward Michael Hage, a player Kent Hughes said was their target all along.

Let’s look at why the Habs brass believe they’ve added a key player to the team’s rebuild.

Michael Hage’s Road To The NHL

Hage is a right-handed centre who stands at 6’1″ and weighs 190 lb. Since taking over as General Manager of the Montreal Canadiens, it appears Hughes’ modus operandi placed an onus on adding talented players with more size to the mix, and Hage certainly fits that philosophy. The 18-year-old will continue to fill out his frame and should be over 200 pounds once he’s ready to make the jump to professional hockey.

The Mississauga, Ontario, native played the past two seasons in the United States Hockey League (USHL), the top American junior league. He underwent shoulder surgery at the start of his first season, and was thus limited to only 13 games to close it out, notching five goals and five assists, good for 10 points.