LAS VEGAS — The NHL Playoffs are one of the liveliest spectacles of the year.
Not only because the best team in the league is awarded the highly-coveted Stanley Cup, but also because of the awards and the draft to follow. With constant buzz all year regarding who the top up-and-coming players are, the answer will finally present itself this Friday and Saturday at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
At this year’s draft, there are three commits to the Michigan hockey team expected to be selected to one of 32 NHL teams within the seven rounds. Although none of them are current Wolverines — unlike last season’s draft — the trio of prospects is poised to bring talent and drive to a roster left slightly tattered following its 2023-24 season. That being said, let’s look at what makes each commit a desirable player for an NHL team as well as an integral part of the upcoming Michigan roster.
C Michael Hage
NHL Draft Prospects: No. 10 (North American Skaters)
Scott Wheeler/The Athletic: No. 15
After losing top center Frank Nazar III to the Chicago Blackhawks at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, it seems the Wolverines will have an abundance of incoming centers to fill the void. Finishing up his juniors career with the Chicago Steel in the USHL, Hage adds his name to a talented list of Steel alum-turned-Michigan skaters. In his two-year tenure with the Steel, Hage tallied 85 total points — 75 of which came in his most recent season. He’s a versatile player who can play center and right-wing, and when he has the puck, he likes to take a shot. From losing his father to enduring serious injuries, Hage has endured a lot of adversity in the first 18 years of his life, making him a well-rounded individual who is ready to take on any challenge thrown his way.
Many teams — from the Detroit Red Wings to the Minnesota Wild to the Las Vegas Golden Knights — have shown interest in drafting Hage. But at the end of the day, he will be an asset to any team he is drafted to.
C Christian Humphreys
NHL Draft Prospects: No. 71 (North America)
Scott Wheeler/The Athletic: No. 60
Another center committed to the Wolverines is center Christian Humphreys. Humphreys’ draft stock has gone down over the last year, but that doesn’t diminish his value. Wrapping up his juniors career with the United States NTDP team, Humphreys amassed 82 points over the two years, with a stellar first season where he tallied 58 points. Similar to former Michigan forward Gavin Brindley, Humphreys has his size working against him. However, he has a keen eye and an accurate shot in addition to being explosive on the rush. Originally committed to Michigan State, Humphreys will be a solid third or fourth-line center and is expected to be picked up late in the second or early in the third round of the draft.
C Aidan Park
NHL Draft Prospects: No. 91 (North America)
Scott Wheeler/The Athletic: No. 92
Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep alum and center Aidan Park narrowly makes it into the top 100 prospects, expected to be a late third or early fourth-round pick. The only West Coast native on the Wolverines’ roster, Park is an additional versatile player who tallied 93 points in the 2023-24 season. Up to the draft, Park has played two USHL playoff games with the Green Bay Gamblers and served a vital role in the roster with one point over the two games. Similar to former defenseman Seamus Casey, Park reads his teammates well and understands what’s going on in every corner of the ice, making him an intelligent and skilled player. His draft projection has gone up significantly over the past season, and it’s clear his work ethic is paying off.
In addition to these three, Kristian Epperson would have been a fourth member of incoming Michigan skaters being drafted. However, mere days before the Draft, he announced his signing with the Saginaw Spirit in the OHL and is no longer a contender in the NHL Draft. He will also not attend the University of Michigan in the fall.
The post Michigan commits to watch for in the 2024 NHL Draft appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
Leave a Reply