Last Saturday night, Michael Hage’s power play one-timer gave Canada a 2-1 overtime win over Latvia, pushing the Canadians to their second win of the World Junior Championships and keeping them near the top of the Pool B standings. 

Depending on who you ask, that goal could be a close second for the most important goal Hage has ever scored on Minnesotan soil. 

You see, 10 years ago and 15 miles away from 3M Arena at Mariucci, Hage scored another game-winner, this time lifting his Team Ontario squad to a championship win over Team West in the finals of the North American Hockey Showcase. 

“Greener was on that team, a lot of NHL guys,” Hage said after Team Canada’s morning skate on Monday, referring to current Team Canada compatriot Liam Greentree. “Fun tournament.”

“The Show,” as it was fondly known, has undergone multiple rebrandings by different organizations, but its early years included some of the game’s current stars on its rosters. Top-10 NHL Draft selections such as Cole Eiserman, Roger McQueen, and Berkly Catton took part in The Show, along with 2024 No. 1 overall pick and current San Jose star Macklin Celebrini.

Even among all of those names, Hage was the hot topic of conversation among tournament officials and Bloomington Ice Garden employees. His talent was obvious, and his games became must-see spectacles for Zamboni drivers and photographers alike.  

That summer, Team Ontario had three players on its roster that would go on to be selected in the first round of the 2024 NHL Draft. Beckett Sennecke was selected third overall by Anaheim, Hage went 21st to Montreal, and Greentree was picked by Los Angels at No. 26. Jacob Battaglia, also a forward for Team Ontario during the tournament, was picked by Calgary in the second round. 

The event was designed to pit the best of Canada against the best of the United States, and the format included many elements of the famed Brick Invitational, but featured players the summer after their Brick year. 

Hage’s team, which represented Ontario and wore the uniforms of the Toronto Pro Hockey Development Group, played its way through the other Canadian teams in the tournament and advanced to the tournament final against a team from the west coast of the United States. Team West featured its own first-rounder in Trevor Connelly, plus Edmonton Oilers draft pick Aidan Park. 

On a muggy July afternoon, Team Ontario and Team West battled until the final buzzer, with Hage tying the game and then winning it with five seconds remaining in regulation. He was named The Show's Most Valuable Player after scoring 10 goals and finishing with 19 points, and he currently plays for the University of Michigan. 

“We were down late, Greener shot it, I tied it up, and scored late in the game,” Hage recalled. “It was pretty cool, honestly. Great memory for me as a kid, winning a tournament,” Hage continued. “It was a good win there, so hopefully we can keep the good luck going in this tournament.” 

For Hage and so many of his contemporaries, this will be one of the last times they play for their home country. A select few will go on to skate for Team Canada at future Olympic Games, but nothing is guaranteed as the opportunity funnel narrows with age. 

With that in mind, Hage says that he and his teammates relish every game they get to don the Hockey Canada crest. 

“It’s special any time you get the chance to play for your country, play with a lot of special players,” Hage said. 

“It’s fun, and it’s a privilege, so you try to take advantage of it and not take it for granted.”