The 2024 year was supposed to be different for the Montreal Canadiens. They believed their rebuild was starting to end, and they wondered whether 2024 would end with them looking ahead to a run at the playoffs in 2025. The year ended with a string of wins that elevated them to sixth place in the Atlantic Division, but they are still seven points behind in a playoff race. This series will examine how each player performed over the 2024 calendar year. Next up is the second first-round pick of 2024, Michael Hage.
Michael Hage's story is one that fans will love for years to come. Hage grew up as a Habs fan, a mutual love he shared with his father, who tragically passed away in 2023 in a freak accident. It was the worst timing for the proud hockey dad, as his son was about to embark on his draft year, which they both dreamed about since his hockey career began.
It wasn't easy for Michael to focus on hockey early in the 2023-24 season, but things started to turn around when the calender turned to 2024. He started performing at a pace that would make him a first-round draft pick, but he was never going to elevate high enough in the rankings to go to his childhood team at No. 5.
However, before the draft began the Canadiens started making some moves to get another top-20 pick in the first round. The Canadiens entered with the 21st pick, which gave Hage hope that he could end up with the team that would make his dad most proud. It was meant to be, as the Canadiens took Hage with the 21st pick to give the family a beautiful moment in the wake of all their tragedy.
The draft motivated Hage, as he was one of the best players at the Canadiens development camp. He carried it over to his freshman season at the University of Michigan, recording 18 points in his 15 games. 2024 didn't end in the best way after his snub from Hockey Canada at the World Junior Championship, but it didn't take away from everything else that happened this year.
There were plenty of players covered in the Year-in-Review series, but none had a better story than Hage.