On Michigan’s star-studded roster, Michael Hage shines

After sophomore forward Adam Valentini’s game-winning overtime goal Sunday, he credited his teammates first and foremost, and one in particular: junior forward Michael Hage.

“He’s a very special player and an even better guy,” Valentini said Sunday. “It’s been really fun playing with him.”

The praise is well deserved. As the clock ticked down against Ohio State, Hage stared down the center of the net with the fate of the game on his stick. Seeing Valentini in his periphery, Hage delivered the puck right at the doorstep of the net — Valentini just needed to tap it in.

Hage also had a hand in the four other goals the No. 2 Michigan hockey team scored Sunday, tallying another three assists and a goal of his own during the game.

“That’s him at his best,” sophomore forward Malcolm Spence said. “When he’s moving, he’s got his eyes up and he’s making plays. He’s shooting and he’s delivering. It’s awesome to see. He’s a great player, so the sky’s the limit for him.”

Hage has been hitting milestones left and right this season. For one, Sunday’s five assists were a career high of his. Just a few weeks prior, Hage notched 100 career points with his assist on the game-winning goal against then-No. 1 Denver. And now after nine games, he leads the nation in points, with four goals and a staggering 16 assists.

Hage was already a star in his freshman year, earning Big Ten Rookie of the Year honors in 2025. His presence was a consistent force through the Wolverines’ most recent Frozen Four campaign, and he led the country in assists with 39 total on the season. After last year, Hage could very well have departed Michigan for the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, who drafted him 21st overall in 2024.

But Hage returned regardless, citing development reasons and a desire to win a championship with the Wolverines. Now even early in the season, both Hage and Michigan are reaping the benefits.

“It’s very important to have guys like (Hage),” Wolverines coach Brandon Naurato said Oct. 3 after a win at Bowling Green State. “They’re game breakers.”

Hage started the season strong against the Falcons with three goals and four assists, and his statement-making opening weekend earned him Big Ten Second Star of the Week honors. Alongside senior forward Jayden Perron, Hage quickly solidified his role as one half of the NCAA’s most productive offensive duo.

In all but two of Michigan’s first nine games, Hage has shown up on the stat sheet. Now, he’s well on his way to surpassing his numbers from last season and continuing his upward trend.

It’s hard to name a player on the Wolverines roster who isn’t at the top of his game. But Hage exceeds even those standards: He’s constantly improving. From the start of the season, Hage has pushed the envelope and defined new limits for his ability. And his efforts have turned him into a leader on the ice.

Hage doesn’t score the most goals for Michigan, but that was never his niche. Instead, Hage has honed his playmaking ability, putting himself in the right place at the right time, turning opportunities into goals more frequently than ever.