At the Canadiens’ development camp in July, Michael Hage said one of his goals this season was to make Team Canada for the IIHF World Junior Championship.

In order to do that, the 19-year-old centre — selected by the Canadiens in the first round (21st overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft — said it would be important to get off to a good start in his sophomore season at the University of Michigan.

On Friday night, Hage scored two goals and added three assists as Michigan, ranked No. 12 in NCAA hockey, opened the season with an 11-1 win over Mercyhurst at Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. Last season, Hage was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year after posting 13-21-34 totals in 33 games.

Hage was one of two Canadiens prospects — along with Owen Protz, a defenceman with the OHL’s Brant

See Full Page