Canadiens’ Michael Hage brings powerhouse game to Canada’s World Junior team

Take a look at Canada’s World Junior roster when you get a chance.

Of the group, six players played on last year’s team. Six won gold at the U-18 World Championship back in April. Another 10 won gold the year before that. Nearly every member of the 24-player roster has challenged for a gold internationally at some point over the past three years.

Montreal Canadiens draft pick Michael Hage isn’t one of them.

The 19-year-old is set for his Hockey Canada national team debut at the 2026 World Junior Championship, which starts Friday in Minnesota. He took part in the 2022 U-17 World Challenge development camp, and was a standout at the World Junior Summer Showcase in August. But beyond that, he hasn’t played in an actual IIHF tournament to date.

So this is a special time for the dynamic forward, who is expected to be Canada’s No. 2 center behind Michael Misa.

“It’s a special feeling,” Hage said during Canada’s training camp. “I’m happy to be here and I hope to make a difference.”

Hage is in the midst of a massive sophomore campaign with the NCAA’s University of Michigan. He had 13 goals and 34 points in 33 games as a freshman, but is already up to 10 goals and 28 points this year. Michigan is the top team in the country right now, and Hage is a big reason why.

His success didn’t come out of nowhere. Hage was a star minor hockey prospect, which included a 46-goal, 110-point U-16 season with the Toronto Jr. Canadiens. He then capped off the year with an incredible 16 points at the OHL Cup, registering one of the best outputs ever seen in one of the top AAA events in the world. Injuries limited his USHL rookie season to just 13 games. But he had a whopping 33 goals and 75 points in 54 games with the Chicago Steel the following year to solidify himself as a first-round pick in 2024.

“You see him out there, he’s so skilled,” said Canada’s Porter Martone, one of Hage’s linemates with JRC. “He has really grown into a full 200-foot player. I saw it (in the NCAA), he can help on the offensive side and the defensive side, too. I’m really happy to have him on our side now and not playing against him.”

There haven’t been many events where Hage wasn’t the best player at a given event. He was one of Canada’s top players at the World Junior Summer Showcase. While the team primarily used the event to experiment, Hage finished with four goals and five points.

“He came here at summer camp when I was there, and he was really good,” coach Dale Hunter said. “He’s creative, he made plays. He’s a smart player.”

In his free time, Hage keeps a close eye on the Canadiens. While he’s only 19, and could spend another two years at college, many speculate that he’ll sign his entry-level contract once the season is over. He has consistently produced at a high rate, regardless of the level. Scouts applaud him for his mental fortitude after tragically losing his father in 2023 just prior to Hage becoming a first-rounder.

Add in the impressive physical strength and his hockey IQ, and it’s clear Hage has a bright future. He centered Canada’s top line against Sweden in the first pre-tournament game and likely would have done the same in the main event had Misa not been loaned out by the San Jose Sharks.

Since getting drafted, Hage has worked on improving both his playmaking and skating. Neither were bad to begin with, but some scouts thought his pace lacked at times. It’s still not perfect, but he moves quickly and makes more intelligent decisions more frequently now.

“He’s a lot like Robert Thomas,” one scout said. “He doesn’t have a glaring flaw. Hage is so dynamic, loves attacking the puck, is great in transition, and he loves scoring big goals.”

As the No. 2 center, Hage will have a lot of the spotlight taken off him. That’s precisely where he’s going to shine: just as you think you’re in the clear once Misa is off the ice, Hage comes in with his big frame and a drive to win every individual battle.

Montreal Canadiens fans already love him. The rest of the country is about to find out.

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