Michael Hage is headed back to Michigan with a mission

Montreal Canadiens prospect Michael Hage had a brilliant season with the Michigan University Wolverines, but there is work to be done.

And Hage will be the first one to tell you that while he adapted well to the NCAA in year one, he has high prospects for his sophomore year. Hage, 18, had a strong season statistically, but it takes more than scoring points to be a centre at the NHL level. In Hage's case, his goal is a top-six centre role with the Habs down the line.

This makes the task of adding some strength and muscle as he grows into his frame crucial. He will also need to improve on his faceoffs, but with Adam Nicholas, the Canadiens' director of player development directing each prospect, Hage has a detailed offseason plan for sure.

At six-foot-one, 190-pounds Hage is both quick - his hands and feet are constantly in motion - but he is also fast, in that he has an explosive stride and he can stop and go very quickly. In the NHL, he will benefit, however, from getting stronger in his lower body - which will allow him to be a more explosive skater.

RG Media put out a fantastic piece about Hage and his offseason plans. Marco D'Amico hit it out of the park with this one, a fantastic dive into Hage's world. A fierce competitor on the ice, with high hopes for the future.

The creativity and poise drive the offence for Hage, who exploits the smallest windows with great vision, an understanding of how to draw defenders out of position, and pin-point accuracy on his passes. Hage is a threat from the blueline in, and with added consistency, he will become a gem for the Habs to add next May.

Of course, Hage is likely focused primarily on leading Michigan to the Frozen Four next year. I also expect that his numbers - 13-21-34 in 33 games - will take a significant jump in 2025-26. He can score, but the dip in the second half of the season proves that another season will only benefit Hage in his quest for the NHL.

A big offseason, will have fans shifting their focus to Michigan games to watch Hage play. Especially with Ivan Demidov in Montreal.

Ladies and gentlemen, 2025-26 is going to be fun, and we haven't even considered the Habs 2025 first round pick, and potentially Calgary's also.

Hage has help on the way

Hage will also have some help next season in Jayden Perron, which will be nice, because TJ Hughes, the leading point producer for the Wolverines, will likely sign a deal with an NHL club of his choice in the coming days. The 23-year-old from Hamilton, ON, has played his last three seasons with Michigan, registering 47-75-122 in 116 games.

Back to Perron, a former third-round pick in 2023, by the Carolina Hurricanes. The five-foot-nine, 163-pound right-shot winger played his freshman, and sophomore seasons with the University of North Dakota - scoring 21-16-37 in 70 games. I expect that Perron will ride shotgun on the top line for the Wolverines for the 2025-26 season alongside Hage.

The pair will need a bigger forward to balance things out, but I would expect that paired together, Perron and Hage will be offensive drivers for the Wolverines. Perron is heading into his third season, and he hasn't popped off yet, but Carolina has a knack for drafting smaller, very skilled forwards - Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake, Bradly Nadeau & Justin Poirer - and the hopes for Perron are considerably high.

So, I think Perron will surprise many, and Hage will cement himself as the Habs second line centre next season with a dominant sophomore season.