Michael Hage

Michael Hage
Born (2006-04-14) April 14, 2006 (age 18)
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
Weight 187 lb (85 kg; 13 st 5 lb)
Position Centre
Shoots Right
NCAA team Michigan
NHL draft 21st overall, 2024
Montreal Canadiens

Michael Hage (born April 14, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey centre for Michigan in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Early years

During the 2021–22 U16 AAA season, Hage recorded 46 goals and 70 assists in 57 games played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL).[1] At that year's OHL Cup, Hage was near the top of the tournament scoring list with 16 points in seven games, helping lead his team to a silver medal finish.[2]

Junior

On April 20, 2022, Hage was drafted ninth overall by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection draft.[3] After not signing with the Rangers, he was declared a defected player, and his rights were traded to the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for a supplemental first-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection draft as compensation, Sudbury's fourth-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection draft, as well as three conditional draft picks.[4]

On April 26, 2022, Hage signed with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2022–23 season.[5] In September 2022, he suffered a torn labrum during his first practice with the team. Hage would return in March 2023 and recorded five goals and five assists in the Steel's final 13 games of the season.[6][7][8]

Over the course of the 2023–24 season, Hage registered 33 goals and 42 assists in 54 regular season games. His goal production ranked sixth whereas his total assists were tied for tenth across the USHL.[9] He was named the league's Forward of the Week for the period ending March 4, 2024, after he recorded two goals and five assists in three games.[10] He was again recognized as the USHL Forward of the Week on March 18, tallying four goals and four assists in three games, his second such honor in a three-week span.[11] For his efforts, Hage was subsequently named to the All-USHL First Team following the season.[12]

In advance of the 2024 NHL entry draft held in Las Vegas, Hage received the E. J. McGuire Award of Excellence, bestowed by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau to "the candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism."[13] He was ultimately selected in the first round (21st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens.[14][15]

Collegiate

Hage committed to play collegiately for Michigan of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in the 2024–25 season.[16][17] On October 4, 2024, he registered two assists in his NCAA debut versus Minnesota State in a 5-2 loss,[18] followed by an additional two point effort, including his first collegiate goal, in a 4-1 victory a day later.[19] Hage was named the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) Men's Rookie of the Month for November 2024 after leading all freshmen in the nation with a 1.43 points per game (PPG) average.[20]

Personal life

Hage is of Egyptian[21] descent through his parents, Alain and Rania.[22] Following his father's unexpected death resulting from a swimming pool accident in July 2023, Hage dedicated the 2023–24 season to his memory.[23][24]

Career statistics

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2021–22 Toronto Jr. Canadiens OJHL 1 2 2 4 0 — — — — —
2022–23 Chicago Steel USHL 13 5 5 10 10 6 1 1 2 2
2023–24 Chicago Steel USHL 54 33 42 75 53 2 2 2 4 19
USHL totals 67 38 47 85 63 8 3 3 6 21

Awards and honours

Award Year Ref
USHL
All-USHL First Team 2024 [12]
NHL
E. J. McGuire Award of Excellence 2024 [13]

References

  1. ^ Leeson, Ben (September 15, 2022). "Wolves acquire rights to high-end prospect Hage". The Sudbury Star. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
  2. ^ Sweetland, Josh (April 5, 2022). "2022 Gatorade OHL Cup All-Star Team". Ontario Hockey League. Retrieved January 5, 2025 – via CHL.ca.
  3. ^ Brown, Josh (April 29, 2022). "Rangers snag centre Michael Hage in first round of OHL draft — but will he report?". Waterloo Region Record. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  4. ^ "Rangers complete trade with Sudbury". Ontario Hockey League. September 15, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2024 – via CHL.ca.
  5. ^ "TENDER: Steel Sign Michael Hage to Tender Agreement". USHL.com. April 26, 2022. Archived from the original on April 26, 2022. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  6. ^ Crosby, Wes (January 5, 2024). "2024 NHL Draft notebook: Hage has new outlook following shoulder injury". NHL.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  7. ^ Morreale, Mike G. (March 1, 2024). "Celebrini leads NHL.com ranking of top 32 prospects for 2024 Draft". NHL.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  8. ^ Zahn, Matt (April 10, 2024). "Chicago Steel's Michael Hage skating his way up the NHL draft boards". CBS News. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  9. ^ "Series Preview: Steel Open First Round of Playoffs Against Gamblers". Chicago Steel Hockey Team. April 15, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  10. ^ "Hage Earns USHL Forward of the Week Honors". Chicago Steel Hockey Team. March 4, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  11. ^ "Hage Earns Second USHL Forward of the Week Award". Chicago Steel Hockey Team. March 18, 2024. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "All-USHL Teams Announced for 2023-24". USHL.com. May 8, 2024. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Morreale, Mike G. (June 27, 2024). "Hage receives E.J. McGuire Award of Excellence". NHL.com. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  14. ^ "Canadiens draft Michael Hage with No. 21 pick in 2024 NHL Draft". Montreal Canadiens. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024 – via NHL.com.
  15. ^ "Canadiens select Hage with 21st overall pick in 2024 NHL Draft". TSN.ca. June 28, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  16. ^ Rubino, Stefano (April 4, 2024). "Michael Hage – 2024 NHL Draft Prospect Profile". TheHockeyWriters.com. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  17. ^ Major-Mcnicol, Tyler (July 14, 2024). "Updated top five prospects - #5: Michael Hage". FanSided. Retrieved August 22, 2024.
  18. ^ McNeil, Kristy (October 4, 2024). "Michigan Stumbles Out of Gate in Loss to Minnesota State". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  19. ^ McNeil, Kristy (October 5, 2024). "Hage Continues Hot Start as Michigan Overpowers Minnesota State". University of Michigan Athletics. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  20. ^ "BC's Leonard, Princeton's Wunder Highlight HCA Monthly Honors". Hockey Commissioners Association (Press release). December 5, 2024. Retrieved December 6, 2024.
  21. ^ Douglas, William (July 1, 2024). "Color of Hockey: 2024 NHL Draft boasts diverse class". NHL.com. Retrieved January 6, 2025.
  22. ^ Basu, Arpon (December 26, 2024). "Michael Hage's triumph: Tragedy, a dream and an NHL future with the Canadiens". The Athletic. Retrieved December 26, 2024.
  23. ^ Sikes, Ryan (January 25, 2024). "Chicago's Michael Hage Dedicating 2024 NHL Draft Season To Late Father". FloSports. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  24. ^ Wheeler, Scott (April 4, 2024). "Through 'unimaginable' loss, top 2024 NHL Draft prospect Michael Hage carries on". The Athletic. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by Montreal Canadiens first round draft pick
2024 		Succeeded by
Incumbent


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