The early returns on Michael Hage are that he looks like a steal for the Montreal Canadiens with their second first-round pick in 2024. It could be a draft that alters the franchise's history, as they were able to fix their offensive future with the additions of Hage and Ivan Demidov. While Demidov will likely sign his pro contract after the KHL season ends, the organization and fans must wait longer to see Hage turn pro. Marco D'Amico revealed on X that Hage will return to the University of Michigan next season.
#GoHabsGo prospect Michael Hage confirms his return to Michigan for next season to @TheRGMedia :
— Marco D'Amico (@mndamico) March 25, 2025
"I want to go back and win a championship."
Hage won't be the first collegiate star to forego turning pro after his freshman season to stay and try to win a National Championship in his sophomore year. The Canadiens are already living it with Jacob Fowler, who didn't have much left to prove after last season but returned this year to try and win the elusive title with Boston College. It remains to be seen whether he will do it, but in all likelihood he will sign his pro contract regardless whenever the Eagles' tournament ends.
Hage finished the year with 34 points in 33 games. He won the Big Ten Freshman of the Year Award, which was the third Hab to win it recently, following in the footsteps of Jakub Dobes and Cole Caufield. Some wondered whether Hage would turn pro after this season, but another year of development will serve him well. Hage will likely play the remainder of next season, join the Laval Rocket when Michigan's season ends, and then begin play with the Canadiens in 2026-27.
There could be some bumps in the road, but that would be the ideal trajectory for Montreal's front office. It's easy to imagine a scenario where Lane Hutson wins the Calder Trophy this season, Ivan Demidov wins it next year, and Hage attempts to make it three in a row. The Canadiens' rebuild has already been a success, but pulling off that feat would be another notch in the belt of the front office.
Recent players who took similar paths
It isn't a slight for Hage to stay for his sophomore season and receive some more development. It has been a successful plan for many players before him, with the most notable one recently being Cale Makar. He stayed for his sophomore year, led the league in scoring, and won the Hobey Baker Award. The Hobey Baker Award will likely be another goal in Hage's journal as he enters next season.
Matty Beniers is a center who followed the same path as Hage, with the same team in Michigan. Beniers stayed and was a Hobey Baker Finalist in his sophomore season, and also won a National Championship. He joined the Seattle Kraken the following season and won the Calder Trophy.
The Canadiens likely hope Hage falls somewhere in the middle of these two examples. They don't expect him to be a top player in the league like Makar, but they'd prefer him to show a higher upside than what Beniers has shown over the past two seasons. Beniers hasn't been the same player since winning the Calder Trophy in 2022-23.