Last Summer, Montreal Canadiens’ prospect Michael Hage didn’t receive an invitation to the Team Canada Summer Showcase, which is essentially used as an audition to gauge who could be invited to play for the country at the World Junior Championships in December.
This time around, he received his invitation, and by his admission, he would love to compete in the World Junior Championship over the Christmas holidays. The now 19-year-old center has gained some muscle and weight since joining the University of Michigan in the NCAA. In his rookie season, he put up 34 points in 33 games and was named the rookie of the year in the Big 10 conference.
He’ll be going back this season, this time as a sophomore, and the hope is he’ll be even better with a better supporting cast. He’ll be joined by his childhood friend Malcolm Spence, who was drafted 43rd overall by the New York Rangers and will no doubt be working hard to prove everyone who passed on him in the first round wrong.
A Canadiens’ defensive prospect will also be heading to the Showcase. Fourth-round pick at the 2024 draft, left-shot blueliner Owen Protz, will be hoping to make an impression to secure a roster spot. The 19-year-old rearguard comes in at 6-foot-2 and 207 pounds, and he’s not afraid to use that big frame of his.
In his second full season in the OHL, Protz continued to improve offensively, recording 32 points in 67 games, up from 19 points in 66 games the previous year. It won’t be easy to secure a spot, but regardless of what happens, it will be a good experience for him to attend the showcase.
Photo credit: Arianne Bergeron/Club de hockey Canadien inc.
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