LAS VEGAS — To date, the University of Michigan ice hockey team had the most first-round picks in NCAA history, with 33 players selected in the NHL Draft.
Today, the Wolverines not only maintained their record, but extended it to 34 thanks to forward Michael Hage.
As a USHL star playing for the Chicago Steel, expectations were high for Hage leading up to this moment, and Montreal took advantage, taking him with the 21st pick in the draft.
Hage's steals gave him 85 total points, with 75 of those coming in just his second season in a Chicago uniform. A season riddled with injuries and inconsistent play had many NHL teams questioning Hage's potential, but his numbers spoke for themselves, and 75 points in a season made him a natural first-round draft pick.
Hage, who announced his commitment to Michigan in 2022, has the skill set and hockey IQ to match what Wolverines coach Brandon Naurato is looking for in a player, and with a roster that includes a number of Michigan and Steele alumni such as Owen Power, Adam Fantilli and Macky Samoskevich, Hage will be well-served at Michigan.
While many teams may have had question marks over Hage's name heading into the NHL Draft, one thing is certain: the Canadiens decided Hage was the answer.
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