Michael Hage Is Giving Canadiens Fans Something to Wait For

I know a lot of Canadiens fans are watching Michael Hage this season. So, here's a little update. Hage had a big weekend with the NCAA’s Michigan Wolverines. On Friday night, he scored twice and added an assist in Michigan's 7-2 win over Bowling Green. Then he came back Saturday and did it again. Well, sort of.

The fact is that he scored once and added three assists as Michigan lost 4-3 to Bowling Green. That's seven points in two games. That's a pretty good weekend.

Seven points is seven points, regardless of the opposition.

Now, let's be fair. Bowling Green isn't exactly Michigan's biggest test of the season. And that's worth remembering. But no one is going to ask him to apologize for seven points in two games. When you're trying to follow a young player in college hockey, these are the games you want to notice.

Not because they tell you exactly what Hage will become. They don't. But they give you something to watch. And he may have a little more responsibility this season.

T.J. Hughes is gone, among others. The Colorado Avalanche signed Hughes in April, and he’s played two games for them this season. As a result, Hage will have to carry more of the offensive load. That's part of what makes his decision to stay at Michigan interesting. He's not just sitting there waiting for his turn. He's getting a chance to play a bigger role.

Hage is one reason why college hockey is worth watching.

I sometimes think we get too caught up in trying to figure out exactly when a prospect will arrive in the NHL. Will he sign after the season? Will he turn pro? Will he make the Canadiens? How many points will he score?

Those are fun questions. But there's another question I like better. What is he becoming as a player? Hage gets to answer some of that at Michigan. He gets to play. He gets to make mistakes. He gets to have nights like this. And now he gets to find out what happens when more of the game runs through him. That's pretty useful development.

Hage and Michigan are back next Friday against Alaska Anchorage. And I'll be curious to see what he does. One thing is for sure: he’s worth waiting for.