'He's a special player': Canadiens prospect Michael Hage earns more praise after World Juniors
Photo credit: Montreal Hockey Fanatics
In recent weeks, it's fair to say that there's a Montreal Canadiens prospect whose value has truly risen, and in the eyes of everyone.
At the World Juniors yesterday, Michael Hage continued his standout run, posting four points to help Canada capture bronze against Finland.
Hage received widespread praise across the hockey world following his remarkable run at the tournament.
Now, his Team Canada teammate Cole Reschny has also given praise to Michael Hage, adding his name to the growing list.
After the tournament, Reschny described Hage as a special player. He said that with a year and a half at the university level, Hage has learned to play hard against older guys. And when he comes back to his own age group, he shows up.
This all comes in a context where Hage had already made eyes widen at the 2026 World Junior Championship. He was one of the names mentioned most often when Canada needed offense, and some will say he was outright Canada's best player.
Even after the elimination, the talk didn't stop. Montreal Canadiens fans also felt he deserved more recognition. When you see the debate about the "three best players" and his name isn't there, it adds fuel to the fire.
The Montreal Canadiens struck gold at the draft with the acquisition of forward Michael Hage
Now, a teammate like Reschny is also confirming what many already thought.
Cole Reschny on Michael Hage:
"He's a special player. He has played college for a year and a half now and I think he has learned to play hard against older guys and now when he comes to play against his own age group he showed up. He's a dialled guy."
- Via Scott Wheeler
"He's a special player. He has played college for a year and a half now and I think he has learned to play hard against older guys and now when he comes to play against his own age group he showed up. He's a dialled guy."
- Via Scott Wheeler
At 19 years old, Hage isn't just a nice story - he has a solid profile backed up by numbers. With the University of Michigan in the NCAA, in his first full season, he recorded 34 points in 33 games.
He stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 190 pounds. And the Canadiens selected him 21st overall in the 2024 draft.
The possibility of a signing after the university season comes up frequently, especially when Kent Hughes speaks about maintaining communication with a player once the organization believes he is ready to turn pro.
In the end, Reschny's compliment comes at the right time. It doesn't put a contract on the table, but it does put a label on the player: a special talent who learned quickly, appears ready for the next step, and shows up when it matters.
Let's just say that for a CH prospect, that's the kind of sentence that can travel a long way.
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Kent Hughes addresses Patrik Laine's return timeline after skating in Brossard
Kent Hughes addresses Patrik Laine's return timeline after skating in Brossard
Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics
| POLL | ||
JANVIER 6 | 1239 ANSWERS 'He's a special player': Canadiens prospect Michael Hage earns more praise after World Juniors Do you think Michael Hage can help the Montreal Canadiens as early as this season? | ||
| Yes | 634 | 51.2 % |
| No | 220 | 17.8 % |
| Too early | 385 | 31.1 % |
| List of polls | ||