Canadiens prospect Michael Hage has taken great strides at Michigan
Canadiens prospect Michael Hage got off to an impressive start last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan.
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Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player personnel, was in Michigan to watch Hage — selected in the first round (21st overall) of last year's NHL Draft — play his first two NCAA games at centre against Minnesota State. Hage, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him, had a goal and three assists as Michigan split the two-game series.
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Ramage was also there a couple of months later, when Hage got bounced around by a very physical and heavy Michigan State team.
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'From the development standpoint, that was great and he was aware of that,' Ramage said about the game against Michigan State Thursday when Hage was among the 31 Canadiens prospects who scrimmaged in Brossard as the Canadiens wrapped up this year's development camp.
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Hage finished his freshman season at Michigan with 13-21-34 totals in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's rookie of the year. Michigan didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing the season with an overall record of 18-15-3.
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As the season went on, Hage became a target for older and stronger opposing players.
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'As I said to him, 'Michael, if you're an elite player get used to it,'' Ramage said Thursday. 'The good players, the elite players, they find a way. He's a really solid young man. He takes it to heart. He really cares. One thing we talked about being with him last night is that it's good to take it to heart, but don't let it affect your game. It's a game of failures some times.'
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Smooth is the best way to describe Hage's game. Everything he does is smooth, from his skating, to his stickhandling and his playmaking. He stayed at the University of Michigan after the season ended to work out in the gym and put on about 10 pounds ahead of the Canadiens' development camp.
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'I feel like it has really helped me,' the 19-year-old said. 'The strength and conditioning coaches and just the resources that we have at school are unbelievable. It's really helped me so far and I think it's going to help me next year.'
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Hage will be going back to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. When Ramage was asked when Hage might be ready to turn pro, he said: 'We're one year at a time right now. He was a freshman last year playing against older guys. Let's give him this year, we'll see where he's at.'
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Michael Hage (No. 25 red), Canadiens' first-round pick (21st overall) at last year's NHL Draft, in action at #Habs development camp. pic.twitter.com/2fLnN5vdv5
— Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2025
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Article content Canadiens prospect Michael Hage got off to an impressive start last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan. Article content Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player personnel, was in Michigan to watch Hage — selected in the first round (21st overall) of last year's NHL Draft — play his first two NCAA games at centre against Minnesota State. Hage, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him, had a goal and three assists as Michigan split the two-game series. Article content Article content Article content Ramage was also there a couple of months later, when Hage got bounced around by a very physical and heavy Michigan State team. Article content Article content 'From the development standpoint, that was great and he was aware of that,' Ramage said about the game against Michigan State Thursday when Hage was among the 31 Canadiens prospects who scrimmaged in Brossard as the Canadiens wrapped up this year's development camp. Article content Hage finished his freshman season at Michigan with 13-21-34 totals in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's rookie of the year. Michigan didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing the season with an overall record of 18-15-3. Article content As the season went on, Hage became a target for older and stronger opposing players. Article content 'As I said to him, 'Michael, if you're an elite player get used to it,'' Ramage said Thursday. 'The good players, the elite players, they find a way. He's a really solid young man. He takes it to heart. He really cares. One thing we talked about being with him last night is that it's good to take it to heart, but don't let it affect your game. It's a game of failures some times.' Article content Article content Article content Smooth is the best way to describe Hage's game. Everything he does is smooth, from his skating, to his stickhandling and his playmaking. He stayed at the University of Michigan after the season ended to work out in the gym and put on about 10 pounds ahead of the Canadiens' development camp. Article content 'I feel like it has really helped me,' the 19-year-old said. 'The strength and conditioning coaches and just the resources that we have at school are unbelievable. It's really helped me so far and I think it's going to help me next year.' Article content Hage will be going back to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. When Ramage was asked when Hage might be ready to turn pro, he said: 'We're one year at a time right now. He was a freshman last year playing against older guys. Let's give him this year, we'll see where he's at.' Article content Michael Hage (No. 25 red), Canadiens' first-round pick (21st overall) at last year's NHL Draft, in action at #Habs development camp. — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2025
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Canadiens prospect Michael Hage has taken great strides at Michigan
Article content Canadiens prospect Michael Hage got off to an impressive start last season as a freshman at the University of Michigan. Article content Rob Ramage, the Canadiens' director of player personnel, was in Michigan to watch Hage — selected in the first round (21st overall) of last year's NHL Draft — play his first two NCAA games at centre against Minnesota State. Hage, who was listed at 6-foot-1 and 188 pounds when the Canadiens drafted him, had a goal and three assists as Michigan split the two-game series. Article content Article content Ramage was also there a couple of months later, when Hage got bounced around by a very physical and heavy Michigan State team. Article content Article content 'From the development standpoint, that was great and he was aware of that,' Ramage said about the game against Michigan State Thursday when Hage was among the 31 Canadiens prospects who scrimmaged in Brossard as the Canadiens wrapped up this year's development camp. Article content Hage finished his freshman season at Michigan with 13-21-34 totals in 33 games and was named the Big Ten's rookie of the year. Michigan didn't qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019, finishing the season with an overall record of 18-15-3. Article content As the season went on, Hage became a target for older and stronger opposing players. Article content 'As I said to him, 'Michael, if you're an elite player get used to it,'' Ramage said Thursday. 'The good players, the elite players, they find a way. He's a really solid young man. He takes it to heart. He really cares. One thing we talked about being with him last night is that it's good to take it to heart, but don't let it affect your game. It's a game of failures some times.' Article content Article content Article content Smooth is the best way to describe Hage's game. Everything he does is smooth, from his skating, to his stickhandling and his playmaking. He stayed at the University of Michigan after the season ended to work out in the gym and put on about 10 pounds ahead of the Canadiens' development camp. Article content 'I feel like it has really helped me,' the 19-year-old said. 'The strength and conditioning coaches and just the resources that we have at school are unbelievable. It's really helped me so far and I think it's going to help me next year.' Article content Hage will be going back to the University of Michigan for his sophomore season. When Ramage was asked when Hage might be ready to turn pro, he said: 'We're one year at a time right now. He was a freshman last year playing against older guys. Let's give him this year, we'll see where he's at.' Article content Michael Hage (No. 25 red), Canadiens' first-round pick (21st overall) at last year's NHL Draft, in action at #Habs development camp. — Stu Cowan (@StuCowan1) July 2, 2025
