Why Michael Hage will be a difference-maker for the Canadiens
Canada’s World Junior group fell wanting the final prize this winter. But it wasn’t resulting from Michael Hage’s lack of efficiency.
It’s laborious at hand the event MVP title to a group that solely took residence bronze. But Hage completed with a WJC-leading 13 assists and 15 factors, doing a lot of the heavy lifting for a Canadian group that finally fell flat when it mattered.
But what that two-week affair confirmed was that Hage was really one in all the best prospects in the world. His mixture of measurement, ability and hockey sense made him an absolute pressure, and he has confirmed that in school.
Hage has spent the previous two years with the University of Michigan. On Thursday, he’ll look to beat Denver to earn a spot on Saturday’s NCAA Frozen Four nationwide title recreation. He was injured throughout the regional event again in March, however Michigan coach Brandon Naurato stated he anticipated Hage again in time for when it actually mattered.
And that is big. He’s one in all the greatest gamers in school hockey, registering 13 targets and 51 factors in 38 video games. He additionally had 34 factors in 33 video games the yr earlier than, giving him 85 factors over two seasons. He has the most assists in that span with 59, and is fifth in factors.
So, yeah, Michigan actually counts on Hage in a huge manner. And quickly, the Montreal Canadiens will, too.
With the NCAA season ending this week, Hage might be days away from inking his NHL entry-level contract. The Canadiens chosen Hage twenty first total in 2024, and he shortly established himself as a important a part of the group’s core shifting ahead. Nick Suzuki owns the No. 1 middle gig in Montreal – however Hage might realistically problem for that down the line. Regardless, Hage has little left to show in school, and turning professional is the proper transfer for him.
Hage has produced at each degree. He was one in all the high U-16 prospects throughout the 2021-22 season and would have probably gone first total in the 2022 OHL Draft had he not made his school ambitions already clear. A knee damage restricted Hage’s enjoying time in 2022-23, however he decimated targets with a formidable 75 factors in 54 video games in his first – and solely – full USHL marketing campaign. His means to step into a new state of affairs, acclimate himself and stand up to hurry nearly immediately makes him extraordinarily deadly.
Hage has by no means been the most expert participant in the world. But you may discover few facilities with as full a package deal as he does. He has excessive top-end pace and the consciousness to make high quality performs on the fly. Hage is a large puckhandler who persistently makes near-perfect passes. He’s misleading, sharp and whereas he is not huge, he is constructed sturdy and lets opponents know that alongside the boards and in entrance of the internet.
Hage is not a true burner, however he is nonetheless a sturdy skater total. His tempo has improved, permitting him to backcheck extra ceaselessly. Defensively, his recreation has come a great distance, though it nonetheless wants some work to come back near, say, Suzuki’s degree. And that is high quality – Montreal’s teaching employees can determine that out with him. Hague has nearly all the pieces else going for him proper now from a bodily and an offensive standpoint.
“He plays a lot like Robert Thomas“said one scout prior to the World Juniors. “He doesn’t have a glaring flaw. Hage is so dynamic, loves attacking the puck, is great in transition, and he loves scoring big goals.”
The Canadians have already clinched to playoff spot for the second consecutive yr. Last season, we noticed Montreal convey over Ivan Demidov for a brief style of the common season earlier than kicking off the postseason. The Canadiens did not overuse him, although, as a substitute selecting to provide the bulk of the enjoying time to the core that acquired them that far in the first place.
That might be Montreal’s transfer once more, this time with Hage. Oliver Kapanen has had some wonderful chemistry with Demidov on the second line, and Kirby Dach returned from damage this week, too. For as soon as, the Canadiens even have some respectable offensive depth. They might elect to place Hage on the wing to permit him to slowly modify to the NHL – or they won’t look to repair what is not damaged in Montreal’s system.
The Canadiens have seen success out of their school stars becoming a member of them for the playoff push. Cole Caufield was one in all Montreal’s high forwards when the Habs made a Cinderella run to the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. College gamers play about half as many video games as NHLers, in order that they’re a bit extra rested (and clearly a bit youthful). But with Hage coming off an damage, do not be shocked if the Canadiens elect to maintain him round for follow and preserve his present recreation motion restricted for now.
And that is high quality. It’s all about the long-term improvement right here for Hage. He’s solely 19, however he has a promising future. Montreal would be smart to not rush him in if they do not really feel like he’ll make a right away impression.
Teams covet facilities who can hit, skate, and make high quality passes persistently. Hage does all that, and the Canadiens snagged them with their second decide two years in the past. Hage nonetheless must play in the NHL to validate the choice, nevertheless it already appears like a huge worth decide. He nonetheless has some unfinished enterprise to take care of. But after that, it is big-league hockey for one in all the recreation’s high younger skills.
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