Prospect Info: [2024 - 21st] Michael Hage, Chicago Steel (USHL), Committed to U of Michigan
- Thread starter LastWordArmy
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Fait enough. Which elements of Becks game do you see? My bad for assuming and not askin first
dackelljuneaubulis02
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It’s quite comparable to Caufield’s freshman year which was very very good but had its warts. Hage played a tougher position and had arguably less help than Caufield. I’d argue that Hage looked more dynamic.
People were really questioning Caufield’s 5 on 5 play and defensive commitment. His sophomore year was almost a quantum leap. If Hage has anything close to that he’ll be fine.
You can argue semantics about what incredible was but it was very impressive year let alone from someone picked in the 20s.
But I do agree he’s less a slam dunk than many of us (myself included) were saying he’d be for a top 6 C. Still incredibly promising
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
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Hage has a higher ceiling but a lower floor than Beck.
Both will be key players for the Canadiens going forward.
Habitant#1
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Playmaker09
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I'm sure Michigan will take advantage of the ability to bring on CHL talent.
I'm expecting a number of the Canadian born draftees to make the jump, and Michigan is probably the most desirable destination along with BC/BU.
BJCOLLINS
Registered User
It’s a tougher hill to climb, USHL to the Big 10, than people understand.
Hage had an excellent rookie season! His numbers were down slightly in the second half due to the league recognizing Hage was one of Michigan’s primary offensive threats. Cheers.
Hage had an excellent rookie season! His numbers were down slightly in the second half due to the league recognizing Hage was one of Michigan’s primary offensive threats. Cheers.
Pompeius Magnus
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He had a few nagging injuries as well, which took some of the wind out of his sail in the second half. Still, heck a season for the kid.
Andrei79
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- Jan 25, 2013
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Well said. He also knows what to work on this summer. Caufield responded with a dominant second year which ended with being a key player for a team that went to the cup finals. Let's see how Hage responds. That skill with that skating though is exactly what makes players successful in the NHL nowadays.
montreal
Go Habs Go
I thought by today we might know for sure that his season is over but they have had some luck so far until ASU came from behind to tie and then in OT win the game over UMD as I got to think that puts the final nail in their coffin but it could take till next Sunday for it to be official (Saturday is the last night for all NCAA playoffs)
I wasn't aware of the rule that St. Thomas is not eligible for the NCAA tournament yet due to just moving up from DIII to DI so Minnesota St gets 1 auto bid and we know the Atlantic will get either 16th or 15th OA depending on who wins still.
I wasn't aware of the rule that St. Thomas is not eligible for the NCAA tournament yet due to just moving up from DIII to DI so Minnesota St gets 1 auto bid and we know the Atlantic will get either 16th or 15th OA depending on who wins still.
WeThreeKings
Habs cup - its in the BAG
“We’re very happy with Michael’s progression,” Hughes said of the Michigan Wolverine the Canadiens chose 21st overall in 2024. “We know there was ups and downs to his season, which is very typical for a college freshman, but over the normal course of things an extra year of getting more mature, bigger and stronger never hurts.
“He’s an incredibly talented hockey player who can make offensive plays, and he’s a dynamic skater. The potential is for him to be a top-six player in the National Hockey League.”
If Hage realizes it, that’ll be one less thing for Hughes to look for down the line.
- Kent Hughes
“He’s an incredibly talented hockey player who can make offensive plays, and he’s a dynamic skater. The potential is for him to be a top-six player in the National Hockey League.”
If Hage realizes it, that’ll be one less thing for Hughes to look for down the line.
- Kent Hughes
MtlSars
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- Dec 9, 2016
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Good evening gents,
Quick question, I'm not 100% sure and google search is giving me ambiguous information... So I figure I'll ask savy HF forum fans (and less savy ones as well).
NCAA talent can technically attend Pro camps at the teams expense if its less than 48 hours and attempt pro camps at their own expense if they're staying longer if I'm reading the rules correctly. That's why he can attend the rookie camp earlier in the summer and cannot truly attend the Habs pre-season camp next year correct?
I mean, don't get me wrong if Caufield and Hutson played 2 years in the NCAA, it's probably a good idea for Hage to simmer/marinate there a while longer.
Also, Fowler is likely gonna be available for a peek and move on to the AHL next year most likely?
Quick question, I'm not 100% sure and google search is giving me ambiguous information... So I figure I'll ask savy HF forum fans (and less savy ones as well).
NCAA talent can technically attend Pro camps at the teams expense if its less than 48 hours and attempt pro camps at their own expense if they're staying longer if I'm reading the rules correctly. That's why he can attend the rookie camp earlier in the summer and cannot truly attend the Habs pre-season camp next year correct?
I mean, don't get me wrong if Caufield and Hutson played 2 years in the NCAA, it's probably a good idea for Hage to simmer/marinate there a while longer.
Also, Fowler is likely gonna be available for a peek and move on to the AHL next year most likely?
Hage's season had its warts, but he still ended up doing as good/better than guys drafted before him.
Everybody should be excited about how he develops over the summer.
Everybody should be excited about how he develops over the summer.
Adam Michaels
Registered User
Also, another reason NCAA players don't attend rookie and pro camps is because their school year has already started.
And although I would love Habs to sign Hage and having him play in Laval. The truth is, like Caufield and Hutson as you mentioned as examples, an extra year of NCAA hockey could end up being very beneficial.
ahmedou
DOU
- Oct 7, 2017
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“Whenever we've off nights and I get out of class or doing homework, we try to watch as much hockey as we can. It's been fun to watch them (Montreal Canadiens) having some success and I'm hoping for them to get in the playoffs. They're young and they're skilled, so it's a lot of fun to watch.”
“I think using my skating and my size to not only create offense, but to be solid defensively and to be hard to play against on the forecheck are things that I continue to work on. That's the goal. Keep getting stronger, be hard to play against and be someone that play in any situation.”
“He (Rob Ramage - Montreal’s director of player development) gives me feedback, tells me what he sees in my game and he’s been pretty happy with how things have been going. Other than that, I don't think they try to be too involved in what they're telling you or telling you not to do as a player. I went to dinner with him. He's a great dude and has a lot of really good stories, so he's been fun to get to know.”
“I think using my skating and my size to not only create offense, but to be solid defensively and to be hard to play against on the forecheck are things that I continue to work on. That's the goal. Keep getting stronger, be hard to play against and be someone that play in any situation.”
“He (Rob Ramage - Montreal’s director of player development) gives me feedback, tells me what he sees in my game and he’s been pretty happy with how things have been going. Other than that, I don't think they try to be too involved in what they're telling you or telling you not to do as a player. I went to dinner with him. He's a great dude and has a lot of really good stories, so he's been fun to get to know.”
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
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I think any knowledgeable observer would agree that in a re-draft, Hage is going much, much higher than 21 OA. The kid has exceptional skating and hand skills. He needs to get stronger but if that natural progression occurs, Hage will be a core player for Montreal in a few years from now.
Hutson, Demidov, Hage, Kapanen, Beck, Florian, Davidson, Reinbacher, Farrell, etc. The future of this franchise has not looked this promising since the early 1980s.
Seriously, where does Farrell slot in regarding this team's future?
Does Montreal actually end up playing both Beck and Kapanen, or do they trade one and keep the other, in the end?
F. Xhekaj, if he keeps developing, might bring something needed to the bottom-6.
I'd never bet against Davidson who has always become better at every level he has played, but, honestly, other than Hutson, Demidov and, maybe, Hage, none of those other players are future core players for the Habs.
I think you forgot to mention Fowler who shows tons of promise, even if some NCAA Gs with amazing stats never amounted to much at the NHL level.
Does Montreal actually end up playing both Beck and Kapanen, or do they trade one and keep the other, in the end?
F. Xhekaj, if he keeps developing, might bring something needed to the bottom-6.
I'd never bet against Davidson who has always become better at every level he has played, but, honestly, other than Hutson, Demidov and, maybe, Hage, none of those other players are future core players for the Habs.
I think you forgot to mention Fowler who shows tons of promise, even if some NCAA Gs with amazing stats never amounted to much at the NHL level.
LaP
Registered User
Farrell is too small imo. Can't have him and Caufield in the top 9. His future will be elsewhere. He's also 23 so he's at the point where AHL success is not really a good indicator of NHL potential anymore.
Xhekaj is almost NHL bound at this point. If i had to bet 10 000$ that Xhekaj will make or not the NHL i'd bet he does and i would be very confident i'd win. THe question with Xhekaj is not if he'll make the NHL but more when and where's he'll play and what will be his role. If he doesn't make it with us it's going to be with someone else and we will likely regret it.
ChesterNimitz
governed by the principle of calculated risk
- Jul 4, 2002
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With respect to Farrell, until the last 2 months, I would have agreed with you. But this player, who was a huge scorer at the NCAA level, has recently displayed superior skating and play making ability and a pro-level shot that has now transformed Farrell into Laval's most dynamic player. I watch most Laval games through the opposing team's broadcast feed to gain a different perspective as to the potential of our various prospects. I can say that the general consensus of other observers that Farrell is a legitimate NHL prospect. Whether he plays for Montreal or another team, Farrell will play in the NHL. Who could have said this before Christmas?
As for Florian Xhekaj, I have always thought that the prevailing sentiments about this young player was off the mark. I kept hearing that Florian was a big, bruising player who, like his older brother, was a physical intimidating force. Never heard a peep about this kid's hockey skills. I started to watch Florian play at Brantford and immediately realized that this kid was no mere thug. He had better straight forward speed than his teenaged contemporaries. He also had better hand skills, offensive vision and shooting ability than I expected. In fact, after watching Florian play a couple of games I opined, to the mirth of many here, that this kid, based on his skating alone, should be on Team Canada's radar for then, upcoming WJC. As it turned out, that iteration of Team Canada could have used him.
I do not see Florian's future as a bottom 6 player. More a middle six player. Many here don't realize that Florian was a key player on the Brantford power play. And not, as an oversized player who positioned himself at the edge of the crease. But as a playmaker from the point / half boards. That is not the traditional role of a bottom six style player. Due to his size, mobility, hockey sense and skating ability I am not surprised that he is enjoying success at the AHL level playing regular shifts and killing penalities as a rookie. This kid's skills are as underrated as is his physical attributes are overrated.
But a cautionary word. Florian currently lacks the necessary quickness to be an effective offensive forward in today's high paced/tempo NHL game. Whether he can gain that extra step will determine Florian's ultimate upside. It's the same question that could be asked of most young AHL players. Most, regrettably, can't traverse the formidable gap that exists between the NHL and every other league.
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montreal
Go Habs Go
Michigan will be cheering for Maine tonight to beat Northeastern. a NU win wouldn't be the end for Michigan's season but if they won again it likely would so better if they just lose since Maine has no bearing on Michigan's season.
