General 3/4/2024 4:58:00 PM

Hage Earns USHL Forward of the Week Honors

Steel leading scorer notched two goals and five assists for seven point weekend

GENEVA, ILLINOIS — Chicago Steel forward Michael Hage has been named USHL Forward of the Week, the league announced Monday.

Hage potted three assists in Chicago's 5-4 overtime win over the Green Bay Gamblers on March 1, marking his third game this season with three or more assists. Hage added a goal on March 2 against the Omaha Lancers and finished the weekend with a goal and two assists in a 6-1 victory against Omaha on March 3.

In total, Hage had two goals and five assists (7 pts) this past weekend.

Hage's 55 points (25G-30A) rank tied for fifth in league scoring and at the top in scoring for the Steel. Hage has scored in 12 of the last 14 games and has four multi-point performances in the last eight games. He has registered three points in three of the last six games. Eleven of the last 18 Steel goals have either been scored or assisted by Hage.

Additionally, he has scored a goal in five consecutive home games (7G), the longest current home goal streak in the league, and has registered a point in 11 consecutive home contests (20 pts), also the longest active league streak.

"Michael continues to improve every week," said Steel Head Coach and General Manager Mike Garman. "He has an elite shot and a knack for scoring clutch goals. He's been adding layers to his game and developing into a leader on and off the ice. In addition to his offense, he's been relentlessly working to get pucks back and defending hard. We're glad to see his hard work being rewarded and know the best is ahead for him."

A University of Michigan commit and prospect for the 2024 NHL Draft, Hage has been one of the top forwards in the USHL during the 2023-24 season. The 18-year-old center played 13 games for the Steel at the back end of the 2022-23 season after missing the first part of the season due to an injury. This season, Hage has shown what he is capable of when at his best, scoring at a 1.28 points per game clip.

Hage currently ranks 19^th among North American skaters on NHL.com's 2024 Draft Prospect Rankings.

The goal scoring ability has been a significant portion of Hage's game, but another element that has paid dividends for the Steel has been his vision and ability to create openings in the attacking zone. Hage has been able to use his knack for finding the back of the net to draw in defenders at even strength and the power play, setting up goals with pristine passing.

With excellent vision that spans all three zones, Hage has shown the ability to zip pucks in tight windows, and his five assist weekend was a perfect display of such. Hage has seven helpers in the last six games, and only Mick Thompson has notched more assists this season (32) for the Steel this year.

Hage is the third Steel forward to earn Forward of the Week honors from the league this season. Joey DelGreco earned the weekly award on Nov. 29 after scoring three goals and two assists, and Charlie Major took home the weekly honor on Dec. 4 following a four-goal weekend that saw him score two overtime game winners.

The Steel are on home ice this weekend, hosting USA Hockey NTDP on Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10.

March 9 is the 9th Annual Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental. Fans are encouraged to bring new stuffed animals and toss them onto the ice following the Steel's first goal. All stuffed animals will be donated to charity.

March 10 is Part 2 of the Chicago Steel Trading Card Set Giveaway. Full Team Post-Game Autographs will follow the game, where fans can get their trading cards signed by the team.

It's also a Steel Family Pack game, where fans can get four tickets, hot dogs, chips, sodas/waters, and chuck-a-pucks for just $60.

Single game tickets are on sale now starting at just $10. All Steel tickets are digital and fans are encouraged to purchase online in advance at ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

For a limited time, fans can take advantage of the team's Ticket Plan Madness promotion to receive free regular season and playoff games for this season plus other benefits when signing up for a new ticket plan for the 2024-2025 season. Ticket plans start at just 5 games for $50.

For more information, call 855-51-STEEL or visit ChicagoSteelHockeyTeam.com.

2023-2024 STEEL USHL WEEKLY HONORS
Forward of the Week:
11-13-23: Joey DelGreco – 1 GP: 3G-2A-5P, 6 SOG, +1
12-4-23: Charlie Major – 3 GP: 4G-0A-4P, 16 SOG, +/- 0, 2 GWG
03-4-24: Michael Hage – 3 GP: 2G-5A-7P, 13 SOG, +4, 2 PPG

Defenseman of the Week:
12-4-23: Michael Hagens – 3 GP: 0G-3A-3P, 9 SOG, +/- 0
01-8-24: Michael Hagens – 2 GP: 1G-3A-4P, 4 SOG, +4
01-22-24: Thor Byfuglien – 2 GP: 1G-3A-4P, 3 SOG, +5, 1 GWG

Goaltender of the Week:
01-29-24: Louka Cloutier – 2 GP: 2.00 GAA, .937 SV%, 63 saves/67 shots
02-19-24: Quentin Sigurdson – 1 GP: 1.00 GAA, .974 SV%, 37 saves/38 shots

Chicago Steel Upcoming Schedule presented by Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush:
Saturday, March 9 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (6:05 pm CT) | Teddy Bear Toss presented by Geneva Family Dental
Sunday, March 10 vs. USA Hockey NTDP (3:05 pm CT) | Trading Card Set Giveaway Part 2 | Full Team Post-Game Autographs | Family Pack Game
Wednesday, March 13 at Green Bay Gamblers (7:05 pm CT)

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Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens: D; 5' 11"; Harvard University

#14 Mick Thompson: F; 5' 8"; Harvard University

#19 Michael Hage: F; 6' 0"; Uncommitted

#20 Charlie Major: F; 5' 10"; Cornell University

#25 Thor Byfuglien: D; 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University

#10 Joey DelGreco: Forward; 5' 10"; Freshman; Augustana University

#1 Louka Cloutier: Goaltender; 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha

Players Mentioned

#11 Michael Hagens
: 5' 11"; Harvard University
: D

#14 Mick Thompson
: 5' 8"; Harvard University
: F

#19 Michael Hage
: 6' 0"; Uncommitted
: F

#20 Charlie Major
: 5' 10"; Cornell University
: F

#25 Thor Byfuglien
: 6' 0"; St. Cloud State University
: D

#10 Joey DelGreco
: 5' 10"; Freshman; Augustana University
: Forward

#1 Louka Cloutier
: 6' 1"; Freshman; University of Nebraska-Omaha
: Goaltender