Montreal Canadiens prospect and University of Michigan forward Michael Hage will return to Michigan for his junior season, a league source confirmed Saturday.

It comes as a bit of a surprise, however, with Hage — who turns 20 on April 14 and was the No. 21 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft — potentially available to join the Canadiens this season.

This would not have been the Canadiens’ call. They were excited for Hage to begin his professional career, whether in Montreal or in Laval with the AHL’s Rocket. Though it was unlikely for Hage to join the Canadiens in the playoffs, a return to college did not appear to be part of the team’s development plan for him.

He finished his sophomore season at Michigan fifth in NCAA scoring with 51 points in 38 games. Hage also represented Canada at the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championships and led the tournament in scoring with 15 points in seven games.

Michigan was eliminated from the Frozen Four on Thursday, losing 4-3 in double overtime to the University of Denver. Hage was battling an injury throughout the playoffs and registered one assist and two shots on goal in his final collegiate game.

The day before the Wolverines lost to Denver in the Frozen Four semifinal, Hage said it was easy to tune out a potentially dream-come-true signing with the Canadiens.

“I’m not even thinking about that,” he told The Athletic on Wednesday.

Though Hage grew up in the Toronto area, he was a Canadiens fan, the son of Montreal natives Alain Hage and Rania Saba, with several family members who still live in Montreal. Alain was the driving force behind the hockey careers of his two sons, and it was always his dream to see them in the NHL. When Alain died in a tragic swimming pool accident in 2023, Hage used it as fuel to achieve that dream. He has kept a close eye on the Canadiens during the season.

“I watch them as much as I can; they’re a fun team to watch,” Hage said. “I grew up a fan. It’s pretty special to see how good they’re doing this year.”

Hage is focused on improving his overall game this season and believes he has.

“I think my game away from the puck is way better,” he said. “It’s something you have to be ready to do at the pro level, but it’s something I took a big step in to help us win.”

In December, Saba estimated that when her son makes his debut at the Bell Centre, she’d need 60 tickets for friends and family. She was already saving up.

That day will have to wait.