Among the seven Montreal Canadiens prospects who play in the NCAA, three of them are having remarkable starts to the season for their respective teams.
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Goaltender Jacob Fowler as well as forwards Michael Hage and Sam Harris have been shining in recent weeks and find themselves among the leaders of the American university circuit in various categories.
At Boston College, Fowler continues the momentum he started last season. After six games, in which he recorded five victories, he has a goals against average of 1.43 and an impressive save percentage of .943, in addition to having already signed two shutout victories.
If he keeps up the pace, he could surpass the 32 victories collected during the last campaign, a record for a first-year goalie in NCAA history. He also finished the season with a 2.14 goals-against average, a .926 save percentage and three shutouts.
With such statistics, it would not be surprising to see him make the jump to the professionals next season. After all, whoever turns 20 in a few days will not have much left to learn within this circuit and should be ripe for the next step.
Hage, a force in Michigan
As for Michael Hage, he no longer needs the spotlight. His excellent start to the season has already been widely documented. The fact remains that his accomplishments after seven matches are exceptional.
Only 18 years old, he has already scored eight points, including four goals, with the University of Michigan Wolverines. And he produces without the contribution of other top prospects on offense. The Wolverines have lost many important pieces in the last two springs and are currently rebuilding the program around CH’s first round pick.
Photo courtesy of University of Michigan
His production also places him fifth in the NCAA among all players under 20 years old. Among the under-19s, he ranks second behind the possible first overall pick in the next NHL auction, James Hagens.
It is not for nothing that Hage already occupies the position of first center of his team and has his place in the first wave of the power play.
However, he suffered an injury last Friday in a game against the Boston University Terriers and missed his team’s next game. As of this writing, the nature of his injury nor the duration of his absence are known.
Harris continues to amaze
But if there is one hope from CH who has shown one of the good progressions since the start of the campaign, it is Sam Harris. The University of Denver Pioneers forward has already scored six goals and ten points in seven games so far this year.
Last year, he collected 21 points, including 14 goals, in 42 games with the eventual NCAA champions (Denver beat Boston College and Jacob Fowler in the final).
Photo Agence QMI, JOEL LEMAY
Harris is producing at a steady pace, even if he doesn’t play on the first unit of the Pioneers, who are counting on two of the best scorers in the NCAA at the start of the season in Jack Devine and Aidan Thompson.
However, the head coach in Denver uses it on the first wave of the power play, a strategy which has paid off so far this season with four goals in such circumstances.
He has helped his team win their eight matches since the start of the campaign, although he missed his team’s last match due to a slight injury which requires day-to-day assessment.
CH’s other hopes in the NCAA
Logan Sawyer, AG (Providence College) – 3 assists in 7 games
Luke Mittelstadt, D (Minnesota) – 2 assists in 8 games
Jack Smith, AD (Minnesota-Duluth) – 1 but in 6 games
Emmett Croteau, G (Dartmouth College) – 1 win; average: 2.20; efficiency rate: .920
