Photo credit: NHL
Many see Michael Hage as the next second-line center of the Montreal Canadiens.
After delaying his arrival in professional hockey last year in order to play another season with the Michigan Wolverines, the 19-year-old Ontario native may well arrive in the big league sooner rather than later.
Michael Hage has nothing left to learn in the NCAA
The 21st overall pick by the Canadiens in the 2024 draft had an excellent first NCAA season.
He finished with a total of 34 points, including 13 goals, in 33 games. He was also named Big Ten Rookie of the Year.
In his second college season, Hage has taken another step forward. He currently has 28 points in 20 games, reinforcing the idea that he may no longer have much left to prove at the NCAA level. The question now is whether he can continue progressing in college, or if it is time for him to take the next step.
Michael Hage opens the door to playing in the NHL as early as this season
Present at Team Canada’s World Junior camp, Hage was asked about his hockey future. He indicated he may be ready to make the jump to pro hockey at the end of the season.
“Honestly, it’s a decision that I’ll have to make later on in the year and continue to try to get better as the year goes on and as this tournament goes on. But I’m happy to be a part of that organization. It’s a cool organization to be a part of. It’s a special market and special fan base. So, yeah, just honestly worried about right now and continue to get better as the year goes on, and then that’ll be a decision I have to make.”
– Michael Hage
That really sounds like a player who will arrive as reinforcement later this season for the Canadiens.
When he confirmed his return to the NCAA last March, Hage mentioned that he wanted to return to Michigan to win a championship.
The young man’s dream could very well come true, as the Wolverines have a team capable of going deep in the postseason tournament.
That would therefore push back his arrival with the Canadiens (or the Laval Rocket). We should therefore expect him to sign a professional contract next April.
It will be interesting to see whether that contract will be his NHL entry-level deal, allowing him to play in the NHL this spring, or an AHL tryout contract.
We remember that last year, Jacob Fowler signed a tryout contract with the Laval Rocket to finish the season in the AHL.
He then played an important role in Pascal Vincent’s team’s long playoff run.
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics