Prospect Info: [2024 - 21st] Michael Hage, Chicago Steel (USHL), Committed to U of Michigan

[Whalers Fan]

I know it's early but does he turn pro after one year or should he play two seasons at Michigan? I think two would be best.

Two seasons at Michigan would be my guess.

 

[Tyson]

Two seasons at Michigan would be my guess.

Agreed

 

[Gally11]

I know it's early but does he turn pro after one year or should he play two seasons at Michigan? I think two would be best.

I’d like to see him get stronger, I think he’d be better served by two and ideally Michigan is just a better team next year and they can go on a run

 

[morhilane]

I know it's early but does he turn pro after one year or should he play two seasons at Michigan? I think two would be best.

If his production keeps up, I'm pretty sure they will sign him, unless Hage wants to stay there another season.

 

[FrankMTL]

I wouldn't mind him spending two full seasons in the NCAA.....But obviously it depends on the situation and how he progresses over the course of the season. He needs to get stronger but that can also be done during the summer. I mean we're not talking about a twig here, the kid is already 6 foot 1 and 190 pounds so he clearly already has a decent weight to work with.

 

[Whalers Fan]

If his production keeps up, I'm pretty sure they will sign him, unless Hage wants to stay there another season.

The vast majority of 1st round picks (outside the top couple of picks) that go the NCAA route stay for at least two years. While anything is possible, it would be highly unusual for a player like Hage to be "one and done".

 

[Sam de Mtl]

The vast majority of 1st round picks (outside the top couple of picks) that go the NCAA route stay for at least two years. While anything is possible, it would be highly unusual for a player like Hage to be "one and done".

The good thing is that everything is on the table at the moment. If he forces our hands because he is that ready, then he will turn pro, otherwise, another NCAA season will be just fine for everyone involved.

Unless his development continues on a steep upwards trajectory, I would prefer another (and maybe a third if necessary) NCAA season to make him turn pro when he is ready to play a role rather than just be in the mix and have some struggles that could affect his confidence.

 

[Pompeius Magnus]

He missed a large part of his D-1 season, so spending two years in the NCAA could be the smart approach, especially since he's already getting top center minutes and he's in one of the best programs. Have him go the Caufield route and bring him over to the pros at the end of his sophomore year for a few games in Laval.

 

[Whitesnake]

to be fair, that was an absolutely wide open net lmao but still. I'm super excited for him and to be moved up to the #1 center spot as a freshman is wild

Scoring in open net isn't the point. The sniper. The hard shot. But mostly recognizing who to pass to and being open to get it back knowing it will open up. IQ to the roof.

 

[morhilane]

The vast majority of 1st round picks (outside the top couple of picks) that go the NCAA route stay for at least two years. While anything is possible, it would be highly unusual for a player like Hage to be "one and done".

The wast majority of 1st round picks that go to the NCAA don't produce above PPG in their first season on a crap team like Hage is currently doing. He's not undersized, has great skating, passing and vision.

He shouldn't have been available at 21 with the end of season he had in his D0.

Beside, if he gets signed, he doesn't have to be in the NHL, he's not a CHL player, he can play in the AHL at 19.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

I’ve seen the name Jordan Kyrou a few times which I’d be pretty happy about

Kyrou and Eichel light are the two I keep hearing. Either way we are better with a player like that

 

[Gustave]

Kyrou and Eichel light are the two I keep hearing. Either way we are better with a player like that

True, considering our team won’t depend on him as a first line player. Our offense is looking very good, which I find so ironic since we spent a ton of draft capital on D.

Goes to show you how hard, near impossible, to build a whole D from the draft. UFA’s and trades play a huge part of building a cohesive d squad, with different age groups and different more complimentary styles of play.

 

[Redux91]

Scoring in open net isn't the point. The sniper. The hard shot. But mostly recognizing who to pass to and being open to get it back knowing it will open up. IQ to the roof.

*thats* what I was gonna reply as well
The net was so wide open *because* of the heads up play by Hage to set up the pass back to him for the sure-fire goal

Kids gonna be special
Already is