Interesting article. Hopefully the chemistry Hage has already with Taylor and them being good friends will convince him Ptbo is the right place for him to play
Peterborough Petes 2023-24 Off-Season Thread
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Interesting article. Hopefully the chemistry Hage has already with Taylor and them being good friends will convince him Ptbo is the right place for him to play
he tried to get tendered but they wouldnt do it, he may get drafted and go tryout.
What’s the chances you think he signs with the Petes or do you have any idea?
hed probably sign today if you gave him a top package, but you cant do that and sign fitzgerald as well, which probably will come later this summer.
Section5Petes
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‘Going to go with my gut’: Peterborough Petes draftee Alexander Hage weighing his options for next season
Alexander Hage says he has a tough decision to make on whether he wants to commit to the Peterborough Petes or keep his NCAA eligibility.
www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com
Alexander Hage says he has a tough decision to make.
‘Going to go with my gut’: Peterborough Petes draftee Alexander Hage weighing his options for next season
Alexander Hage says he has a tough decision to make on whether he wants to commit to the Peterborough Petes or keep his NCAA eligibility.
www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com
The talented Vaughan Kings U16 centre was among the standouts at the Peterborough Petes Development Camp, held at the Memorial Centre on the weekend.
Not present at camp was Petes’ first-round pick and third overall selection Colin Fitzgerald. The Peterborough native signed with the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers prior to the OHL draft. The Petes have met with Fitzgerald in an attempt to persuade him to stay home and play.
Meanwhile, there is no indecision for rugged Barrie Jr. Colts defenceman Blake Gowan. The Petes’ second-round pick said he was at camp with the sole focus of cracking the roster.
Hage might have been a first round OHL draft pick except he was noncommittal about his intentions for next season.
His brother Michael Hage was a first-round pick of the Kitchener Rangers who opted instead to join the USHL’s Chicago Steel ahead of a commitment to the University of Michigan.
The Petes took Alexander Hage with their sixth-round pick hoping to convince him to play in Peterborough. He had 21 goals and 33 assists for 54 points in 45 games last season.
“I just wanted to come for a fun weekend, enjoy the experience and have some fun” Hage said. “I wanted to meet everyone and keep my options open. I really like it here. Everyone has been super nice. All the boys are really nice. it’s been fun on the ice with everybody.”
Hage has also talked to the Steel but said he’s not made up his mind and is still in the process of gathering information. No one should assume he’s going to follow in his brother’s footsteps.
“Michael is Michael and I am myself,” he said. “I want to make my own decision and I want to choose what is right for me and my own path.
“It’s going to be a hard decision to make, obviously, but I’m going to go with my gut and hopefully have a bright future.”
Petes’ head coach Rob Wilson doesn’t have to be convinced Hage has a bright future.
“He’s very, very talented,” said Wilson. “He sees the ice very well and slips pucks very well under sticks and is crafty when he’s entering the offensive zone.
“There is a lot to his game. He was quite impressive. Obviously, they have to make decisions on what they want to do, but he definitely looked good and has high offensive skill. You can tell he has a real brain for the game.”
Michael Hage was teammates with the Petes’ Caden Taylor when the latter played up a year with the Toronto Jr. Canadians in the 2021-22 season.
In camp, the Petes paired Alexander and Taylor on a line where they had some chemistry. Hage set up a Taylor goal in a Saturday afternoon scrimmage and they teamed up on several good scoring chances.
“I’ve had the opportunity to know Cado for the last three years and he’s like a brother to me now,” Hage said. “I think the chemistry was just automatic.”
Gowan, whose father Chris Gowan played for the Kingston Frontenacs, was thrilled to hear his name called by the Petes on April 12.
“It was the greatest day of my life,” Gowan said. “I’ve been working since I was a little kid to hear my name called. It was an unbelievable experience when I heard my name called by such a great organization.”
His first impressions of the Petes are positive.
“They’re amazing people. Everyone has been so welcoming and warm,” Gowan said. “I’m a rookie, so my teammates have been going after me a little bit, but it’s all fun and games. I feel really welcome here and I’m excited to get started.”
Gowan said he never considered any other options.
“I’m set on playing here,” he said.
Gowan, who stands six-foot, 177 pounds, threw his weight around in camp. He had five goals and 33 assists for 38 points, with 75 penalty minutes in 48 games with Barrie.
“I’m trying to stick to my identity. They picked me for a reason, they obviously liked what they saw during the season with my physicality,” he said. “I’m trying to stick to my role and be who I am and not do any more or any less than that. Just go out and crush kids like I know I can.”
Wilson said Gowan is the coach’s type of player.
“He’s got good feet and you can tell he wants to play with an edge,” said Wilson.
“We’re pretty happy with what we see and there is a lot to work with. I think he’s going to fit into exactly the way we want to play. We don’t want to make it fun for anybody coming into this rink. I think he’s got that edge to him which can make it a little bit miserable for opposing teams.
Chicago tendered Adam Valentini today. They now don’t have a first or second round pick… does this help the Petes in the recruitment battle for Hage? Maybe not, but interesting nonetheless
I think Alexander Hage is seriously considering signing with the Peterborough Petes based on the interview in the Peterborough Examiner.
remember when i posted weeks ago about hage not being good enough for the ushl and how chicago was not interested, well....are you guys sure you want to do that and close the door on fitzgerald, who probably will sign later on?
I don’t think it closes any doors at all. I think you’re making something out of nothing TBH. The gold education package situation will clear it self up before it became a problem. There’s trades and who knows it Taylor or Cameron have signed an ELC by then.
I certainly wouldn’t not sign a top prospect because of a “what if” three years down the road.
There seems no lack of $ to fund recruitment for the Steel. Having brother, Valentini and (Croskery?) probably just makes that team more appealing for Hague.
Having 6/7 gold packages in 2007-08 birth years would certainly be a limiting factor because it is likely the ‘07 players don’t sign an elc until playing in their age 19 or OA seasons.
Section5Petes
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I agree, Chicago is a good program. Alexander’s brother Michael I believe is done with the USHL however, we he is committed to Michigan
He is eligible for enrolment this fall? That would be a factor.
HockeyPops
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I’m sure a team with Young, Addy, Cameron, Taylor and potentially Fitzgerald would be just as appealing. A team being built around his age group where he’s going to get playing time.
Section5Petes
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Section5Petes
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Sorry I meant that if Michael has another year there then I would bet Alexander will go there as well to play with his brother.
but they dont want him, his agent asked and they passed on tendering. when campbell reported he was tendered i was the first to say no chance. the bchl wouldnt tender him either. his agent has been trying to get a tender from anyone and no go.
this is what im getting at, other then the puck preps guy who had the 1st overall pick belchetz at like 24th overall a few months before the draft (so like, how much does he actually know), im not sure that anyone thinks he's a top guy in this age group. i dont think i give a gold package to that guy.
Surely Hage would have been tendered by some team in the USHL and most certainly the BCHL by now if that is what he really wanted. There were players tendered in both leagues that are not as highly regarded as Hage. Perhaps he had his mind set on Chicago and is now playing a waiting game to see what will happen, as I don't think Valentini will actually play for the Steel and forgo signing with Brampton.
In the Peterborough Examiner article he said he wants to make his own decision and wants to chose what is right for himself and make his own own path. I get the impression he is seriously considering signing with the Petes and playing in the OHL.
I don't know for certain but if players like Jude Bray could get a tender commitment in the BCHL and Thomas Vandenburg could secure one from Cedar Rapids in the USHL, then is that much of a stretch to conclude that Hage could have as well?
Like I said, I don't think Valentini will actually play in Chicago and perhaps Hage is waiting if a spot opens up there.
just telling you, hes been trying to get one and didnt get it. its not like they didnt try. hes a very good player, but just not sure hes a top 20 talent in the draft. i think vandenburg could be a bit better to be honest, more consistent work ethic, hard to play againtst, skill is a bit lighter but he plays way heavier. bray is very good just tiny.
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