Canadiens Prospect Hage Injured

Almost every weekend now, we get to see some Michael Hage in the NCAA highlights, but not this weekend. The Montreal Canadiens' prospect has missed his University of Michigan Wolverines last two games.

According to Dobber's Whittaker Heart, Hage sustained an ankle injury in practice on Thursday and that's why he missed both Friday and Saturday's games. While no details have been revealed about the ailment, it must not be too serious since he still travelled with the team to Minnesota.

In 13 games so far this season, he has put up 17 points and has featured in a few highlights reels. Still, according to Heart, he will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis which should hopefully mean a short absence.

Last week, the World Junior Championships camp invites for Team Canada were released, plenty of prospects got one, but not Hage. Some Canadiens fan were upset to see Hage didn't get one, but our resident prospects well of knowledge Russ Cohen wasn't shocked, you can read his reasoning in the article below.

Related: Hockey Canada Didn’t Snub Hage

It will be interesting to see how long the Canadiens wait before they try to sign Hage to an entry-level contract. While Cole Caufield was ready to put pen to paper after a single season with the Wisconsin Badgers, the Habs asked him to spend a sophomore season there and to keep honing his skills and muscle mass.

Will they have the same approach with Hage? Or is the fact the rebuild is further alone now going to make them try to push players to graduate faster? I don't have any inside information, but the way Kent Hughes operates, I believe he's from the slow and steady wins the race approach. If I had to bet, I'd put my money on Hage spending at least another season in the NCAA.

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