-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Niagara IceDogs and the Peterborough Petes have made a minor trade involving the younger brother of Montreal Canadiens’ top prospect Michael Hage [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens/latest-news/canadiens-hage-and-koivu-big-winners-at-the-summer-showcase]. On Thursday, the IceDogs acquired the rights to forward Alex Hage from the Peterborough Petes [https://chl.ca/ohl-icedogs/article/icedogs-acquire-playing-rights-to-alex-hage-from-petes/]. In return, the Petes received a 2028 third-round pick (Barrie) and a conditional fifth-round pick in 2029. Hage, 17, was drafted 105th overall in the sixth round of the 2024 OHL Priority Selection by Peterborough. He followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Michael, committing to play for the University of Michigan in the NCAA. Because of his college hockey commitment, the Mississauga, Ontario, native signed with the Chicago Steel of the USHL instead of playing in the OHL. During the 2024-25 season, Hage played just over half a season's worth of games for the Steel, recording 11 points (6 goals, 5 assists) in 37 games. Harvard Commit Luka Graziano Signs With Flint Firebirds [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2938c0c7-1ef5-4679-9255-d7c6c61ab7df.webp] Harvard Commit Luka Graziano Signs With Flint Firebirds Flint Firebirds GM Dave McParlan has been active this summer in bringing in new pieces to his blueline for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The additions continue to come with the signing of former <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl/article/firebirds-sign-former-third-round-pick-luka-graziano/">OHL Cup champion Luka Graziano</a>. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/harvard-commit-luka-graziano-signs-with-flint-firebirds] The 5-foot-8 right-shot center was one of the top U16 players in Ontario during his OHL draft season. He played for the Vaughan Kings organization, winning a GTHL U16 Championship and a silver medal at the 2024 OHL Cup alongside Sarnia Sting second-overall pick Alessandro Di Iorio [https://www.theobserver.ca/sports/local-sports/sarnia-stings-alessandro-di-iorio-beckham-edwards-on-team-canada-again]. That Kings team also included defenseman Zachary Nyman [https://chl.ca/ohl/article/steelheads-sign-blueline-recruit-zach-nyman/] and forward Caleb Malhotra [https://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/sports/caleb-malhotra-ecstatic-to-be-joining-brantford-bulldogs], both of whom chose to pursue the NCAA route also. They have since signed with the OHL teams Brampton (Nyman) and Brantford (Malhotra). Niagara trading for Hage’s signing rights would indicate that there’s interest in switching from the USHL to the OHL for the upcoming 2025-26 season. We have seen numerous players with NCAA commitments make this change since the new rules were implemented. The IceDogs did something similar earlier in the summer. They acquired the rights to defenseman Sebastian Dell’Elce [https://chl.ca/ohl-icedogs/article/icedogs-acquire-sebastian-dellelce-from-soo-greyhounds/] in late June and signed him to an OHL contract [https://chl.ca/ohl-icedogs/article/icedogs-ink-dellelce/] just over a week later. Will they be successful a second time? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Make sure you bookmark THN's OHL site [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl] for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum. Latest OHL News: Brampton Steelheads Sign Matej Stankoven, A Distant Relative To Carolina Hurricanes Star Forward [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9b589637-5221-473f-b577-8f3f276886ef.webp] Brampton Steelheads Sign Matej Stankoven, A Distant Relative To Carolina Hurricanes Star Forward On Wednesday, the Brampton Steelheads organization <a href="https://chl.ca/ohl-steelheads/article/steelheads-sign-centreman-matej-stankoven-and-goaltender-peter-chelbowski/">announced the signing of their first-round pick</a> from the 2025 CHL Import Draft. Slovak forward Matej Stankoven has signed an OHL Scholarship and Development Agreement. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/brampton-steelheads-sign-matej-stankoven-a-distant-relative-to-carolina-hurricanes-star-forward] London Knights Rene Van Bommel Commits To NCAA Lake Superior State University [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/30d00623-47bd-426b-933d-1bad82963073.webp] London Knights Rene Van Bommel Commits To NCAA Lake Superior State University London Knights forward Rene Van Bommel has committed to Lake Superior State University in the NCAA, where he will report following the completion of his junior career in the OHL. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/players/london-knights-rene-van-bommel-commits-to-ncaa-lake-superior-state-university] Peterborough Continues To Add Veteran Pieces; Acquiring Lucas Karmiris From Brampton [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/9660b9ca-d4f0-4854-b231-cb6be7ab6aca.webp] Peterborough Continues To Add Veteran Pieces; Acquiring Lucas Karmiris From Brampton The OHL’s summer trade freeze is officially over, and the Peterborough Petes are the first team to make a splash. [https://thehockeynews.com/ohl/latest-news/peterborough-continues-to-add-veteran-pieces-acquiring-lucas-karmiris-from-brampton]
