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Michael Hage will be (really) better surrounded in the NCAA this year

Originally posted on Dose.ca | Last updated May 31, 2025 2:47 PM ET

Michael Hage had a very solid first campaign in the NCAA. The CH prospect, drafted in the first round of the last draft, has been so good that some already see him as a future second center for the Habs.

13 goals and 34 points in 33 games in his first year in the NCAA, that’s not bad at all.

But what makes it all the more impressive is that the Habs prospect wasn’t particularly well surrounded in Michigan. After all, at 18, he was the best player on that team… which isn’t exactly a good sign for the team.

But that’s all likely to change next year, because the Wolverines are working hard to attract talent. And clearly, the club likes to scout the CHL… and just this morning, they were able to add goaltender Jack Ivankovic to their roster. We’re talking about a goalie who could go in the first round of the next draft.

And in addition to Ivankovic, the club also got hold of Malcolm Spence (who could be a target for the Habs in the first round), Jayden Perron and Henry Mews (in addition to Will Horcoff, who was already there)… and according to Marco D’Amico, other names could follow.

Michigan Wolverines add goaltender Jack Ivankovic per @frank_seravalli.

The influx of talent is going to be real. They now have Michael Hage, Malcom Spence, Jayden Perron, Will Horcoff, Henry Mews and possibly more coming.

– Marco D’Amico (@mndamico) May 31, 2025

All of which means that next year, Hage will have talent galore at his side. He won’t be a one-man show (or almost): he’ll have other excellent players to share the ice with.

And that’s a good thing for his development: being able to play with guys who’ll give him a helping hand will give him an experience closer to what he’ll experience in the pros… and he’ll be able to learn to shine without always being the star of the show.

At the moment, several big names from the CHL are leaving to join the NCAA… and clearly, the Wolverines are betting big on this: the club is very active in trying to improve its group with guys who played in Canadian junior.

Not ideal for Canadian junior hockey, we agree… but at least it’ll help one of the Canadiens’ best prospects in 2025-26.

Overtime

– Nice read.

These Stanley Cup playoffs are a reminder that for truly elite teams like the Panthers and Oilers (and the Lightning, Penguins, Blackhawks and Kings before them), the regular season just doesn’t mean squat.

My column: https://t.co/AM7VFRmF0Z

– Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) May 31, 2025