One of the Montreal Canadiens' top prospects is returning to college for his junior season.
Centre Michael Hage will be back at the University of Michigan for the 2026-27 season, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday.
Later, during the Saturday Headlines segment on Hockey Night in Canada, Friedman said that there's no reason for Canadiens fans to panic in response to Hage's decision.
"They (hold) his rights for two more years," said Friedman. "There's no reason to believe Hage is unhappy with the Canadiens, and there is no reason to believe the Canadiens are unhappy with Hage and will try to trade him. They met about two weeks ago; they had about a three-hour dinner ... and they all laid it out. They talked about all the different situations. I believe at the time, the Canadiens let it be known that they were ready for him to join pro but they said there is no wrong decision here, and they left it up to him to make the call."
Hage, who turns 20 next week, was a first-round pick by the Canadiens (21st overall) in 2024. This season, the six-foot-one centre had 13 goals and 52 points in 39 games, helping the Wolverines reach the semifinals of the Frozen Four.
The Oakville, Ont., native also had 15 points in seven games for Canada's bronze-medal winning team at the most recent World Juniors.
"I think for Hage, there's a few things here," added Friedman. "No. 1, increased role at Michigan next year, even more than he had this year. No. 2, unfinished business; they just lost in the Frozen Four. No. 3, the possibility his brother (Alexander) could join the Wolverines and play there. So that was the decision he made."
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