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

[Whitesnake]

Really happy. Watch at least 5 games of him. I had Greentree ahead but I had Hage at 20. Hage things to work on is consistency. And usage of his teamates better. Yet...I,ll use a great wizard words here...Filip Mesar....if Hage had better teamates....maybe he would have used them more. And working on his defensive game.

But the kid skates well. puck handling is elite. Shot and most definately being able to find a shot lane is elite. Really exciting offensive project to work on. Very good pick. At exactly the right place to pick him.

 

[themilosh]

For sure I'm happy with the draft.

I wonder if we would have been better off with Demidov and Connolly or Eiserman. I wonder more if we shouldn't have done what it would have taken to traded up a second time to go up one or two more spots.

I was thinking this when NYI were up.. like Hugo, just go give prospect+++ draft pick+++ just go up 1 spot and take EISERMAN!!! so close..

 

[HuGo Sham]

This is f***ing epic. Hage getting interviewed pre draft by a leaf media jock sniffer and he dunks on him with the it was 3-1 comment kid was born to be a hab

Habs fan Hage talks going to Leafs in mock draft, appreciation of Eichel - Video - TSN

TSN director of scouting Craig Button has the Leafs picking Chicago Steel centre Michael Hage at No. 23 in his latest mock draft. The Mississauga, Ont. native is actually a Canadiens fan, but would welcome the chance to show off his Jack Eichel style game in front of an

www.tsn.ca

 

[Seb]

Needs to add some muscle then he'll be one hell of a prospect. I love his shots selection, especially his toe drag and his timing but I think he needs to work on his power. I don't think his shot's power is that great.

 

[red devil]

 

[NotProkofievian]

Great skater with skill to go with it. But he tends to skate himself into about as much trouble as he skates himself out of. Not a terrible pick, and he seems like a really good kid, so hoping for the best for him.

 

[red devil]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806923106407059726

 

[Nicko999]

Don't know much about him but nice stats in the USHL after being injured the previous year. Big improvement in one season which you love to see in prospects.

The sad story with his dad will only serve as extra motivation for the kid.

 

[The Great Weal]

https://x.com/i/web/status/1806923106407059726

That's the perfect answer to that question

 

[red devil]

That's the perfect answer to that question

Agreed plus to think on your feet as an 18 year old in front of grown men can be intimidating.

 

[Heffyhoof]

I dont want to crush the party, but I dont think that the journalist had to ask this question… Asking a kid how your dead father would feel rn is a lil bit indiscreet to me…. Anyway Im happy with the pick

I think it's appropriate to ask him immediately after being picked, as they did in the little interview corner. I'd like to thank and commemorate my dad were I to achieve such a feat. The problem lies in the fact I've now seen multiple interviews where each time he's asked about his dad and it's played up as the really emotional part. Leave the kid alone at a certain point, but that would require propriety from the media.

 

[McGees]

Feel like he's gonna develop into a real one

 

[Sagikev]

No way we got this kid and Demidov, A+ first round

 

[BenchBrawl]

We are loaded with talented young right-handed centers, great place to be!

 

[Playmaker09]

Really happy. Watch at least 5 games of him. I had Greentree ahead but I had Hage at 20. Hage things to work on is consistency. And usage of his teamates better. Yet...I,ll use a great wizard words here...Filip Mesar....if Hage had better teamates....maybe he would have used them more. And working on his defensive game.

But the kid skates well. puck handling is elite. Shot and most definately being able to find a shot lane is elite. Really exciting offensive project to work on. Very good pick. At exactly the right place to pick him.

Between Mesar, Newhook and Hage they certainly have a type...

Fortunately, Hage isn't a smurf.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

Don't you have a Euro match to prepare, CR7?

Don't reveal, it's a secret.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

How can you not relate to this kid if you're a habs fan , wow

 

[tnq]

Dickinson is also Habs fan

 

[Archijerej]

Love this pick, I think Michael can fill Eller skates at least, and eventually can play the game like a bigger Plekanec.

He's a prototypical Habs center pick.

Was this meant as a compliment? Because during my tenure as a fan "prototypical Habs center pick" was synonymous with "bust".

 

[Schooner Guy]

Was this meant as a compliment? Because during my tenure as a fan "prototypical Habs center pick" was synonymous with "bust".

Not sure what the other poster was getting at but Hage could very well end up on the wing in the NHL. Not sure where he'll play in Michigan. Not the most creative player or best vision but has blazing speed and very fluid skating technique. Has strong puck skills but needs work on his shot. Not a strong defensive player but that side of his game got better as the season went on. Lots to work with and he's a long-term project anyway. I'm guessing he'll play two years at Michigan unless he makes crazy progress as a freshman.

His play really came on in the 2nd half. His father's death and his return from injury undoubtedly would have hindered his 1st half. His trajectory is headed in the right direction and it will be fun to follow his development.

 

[tnq]

Not sure what the other poster was getting at but Hage could very well end up on the wing in the NHL. Not sure where he'll play in Michigan. Not the most creative player or best vision but has blazing speed and very fluid skating technique. Has strong puck skills but needs work on his shot. Not a strong defensive player but that side of his game got better as the season went on. Lots to work with and he's a long-term project anyway. I'm guessing he'll play two years at Michigan unless he makes crazy progress as a freshman.

His play really came on in the 2nd half. His father's death and his return from injury undoubtedly would have hindered his 1st half. His trajectory is headed in the right direction and it will be fun to follow his development.

From what you wrote, i see Newhook number 2

 

[Whalers Fan]

no, he was slated to join them in '25-'26 but I heard he was bumped up to '24-'25.

Michigan can use him now. They have lost quite a bit of talent.

 

[Ezpz]

Pretty obvious leafs or avs wanted him as they traded out of the first after we picked.

Seems to be a good enough pick, time will tell.

 

[FinnHab]

Nice and touching backround story with this kid. He will give everything and more for the club he loves.

 

[badfish]

Any chance he goes OHL over NCAA?