# Michael Hage

Michael Hage (born April 14, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey centre for Michigan in the Big Ten Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). He was selected in the first round, 21st overall, by the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL entry draft.

## Playing career
### Early years

During the 2021–22 U16 AAA season, Hage recorded 46 goals and 70 assists in 57 games played for the Toronto Jr. Canadiens of the Greater Toronto Hockey League (GTHL). At that year's OHL Cup, Hage led his team in scoring with 16 points in seven games en route to a silver medal finish.

### Junior

On April 20, 2022, Hage was drafted ninth overall by the Kitchener Rangers of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the 2022 OHL Priority Selection draft. After not signing with the Rangers, he was declared a defected player, and his rights were traded to the Sudbury Wolves in exchange for a supplemental first-round pick in the 2023 OHL Priority Selection draft as compensation, Sudbury's fourth-round pick in the 2025 OHL Priority Selection draft, as well as three conditional draft picks.
On April 26, 2022, Hage signed with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League (USHL) for the 2022–23 season. In September 2022, he suffered a torn labrum during his first practice with the team. Upon his return in March 2023, he recorded five goals and five assists in the Steel's final 13 games of the regular season.
During the 2023–24 season, Hage recorded 33 goals and 42 assists in 54 regular season games. His goal production ranked sixth whereas his total assists were tied for tenth across the USHL. He was named the USHL Forward of the Week for the period ending March 4, 2024, after he recorded two goals and five assists in three games. He was again recognized as the USHL Forward of the Week on March 18, after he recorded four goals and four assists in three games, his second such honor in a three-week span. Following the season, Hage was subsequently named to the All-USHL First Team.
In advance of the 2024 NHL entry draft held in Las Vegas, Hage received the E. J. McGuire Award of Excellence, bestowed by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau to "the candidate who best exemplifies commitment to excellence through strength of character, competitiveness, and athleticism." He was ultimately selected in the first round (21st overall) by the Montreal Canadiens.

### Collegiate

Hage committed to play collegiately for Michigan of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in the 2024–25 season. On October 4, 2024, he recorded two assists in his NCAA debut against Minnesota State in a 5–2 loss, followed by an additional two point effort, including his first collegiate goal, in a 4–1 victory a day later. On November 22, in a game against Penn State, he recorded two goals, including the game-winner, in his first career multi-goal game. The next day, he recorded one goal and four assists in a 10–6 victory. He finished the weekend series with a national-best seven points, and was subsequently named the Big Ten First Star of the Week. During the month of November he recorded five goals and five assist in seven games, to lead all rookies in the nation with 1.43 points per game (PPG), and was named the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA) National Rookie of the Month. In January 2025, he, along with fellow Montreal Canadiens prospect Jacob Fowler, were longlisted as recipient of the Hobey Baker Award recognizing the top NCAA Division I men's ice hockey player. Collectively, Hage finished his freshman campaign 34 points in 33 games played. For his efforts, he would be named as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year as well as part of the conference’s All-Freshman Team.

## Personal life

Hage is of Egyptian descent through his parents, Alain and Rania. Following his father's unexpected death resulting from a swimming pool accident in July 2023, Hage dedicated the 2023–24 season to his memory.

## Career statistics

| | | | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Regular season | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs | Playoffs |
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
| 2021–22 | Toronto Jr. Canadiens | OJHL | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23 | Chicago Steel | USHL | 13 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| 2023–24 | Chicago Steel | USHL | 54 | 33 | 42 | 75 | 53 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 19 |
| USHL totals | USHL totals | USHL totals | 67 | 38 | 47 | 85 | 63 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 21 |

## Awards and honours

| Award | Year |
| USHL |||
| All-USHL First Team | 2024 |
| NHL |||
| E. J. McGuire Award of Excellence | 2024 |