Canadiens Top Prospects: Michael Hage’s Road To The NHL
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.
The following season featured a slow start, but things really took off in January, as he scored 23 goals and 50 points in his last 29 games. He ultimately ended the regular season with 75 points in 54 contests, carrying his team, the powerhouse Chicago Steel franchise, into the post-season in the process.
Hage will be joining the University of Michigan’s Wolverine, one of the top hockey programs in US collegiate hockey, where he can continue to grow his game alongside top NHL prospects such Rutger McGroarty and Seamus Casey. There’s no rush when it comes to his development, and thus fans should not expect him to join the Canadiens for at least two full seasons – hopefully developing into THE guy his team relies on vying for a NCAA championship.
Hage Family Ties
In one of the most heart-wrenching stories to emerge from the draft, the young player emotionally indicated to the media that his recently (and tragically) deceased father was a lifelong Montreal Canadiens fan and that his family is from Montreal. Hage fought back tears as he mentioned the rush of emotions he felt, being called up by the team he and his dad cheered for, and that somewhere, somehow, his old man must be proud and elated. Hage also responded to the Quebec-based media in French, further illustrating how deep his family roots run into the land of the Sainte-Flanelle.
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