Montreal Canadiens Prospects Set To Play In NCAA

With a fresh batch of Montreal Canadiens prospects in the pipeline, it’s the perfect time to discuss where the youngest players in the organization will play.

We will focus on players in the NCAA in this piece, as there will be a follow-up article analyzing the projected roster for the Laval Rocket in the near future, as well as the Habs prospects playing in the CHL and in Europe.

Montreal Canadiens Prospects In The NCAA

The Habs restocked their collegiate pipeline at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, with goaltenders Alexis Cournoyer and Maxon Vig selected 145th and 209th, respectively. Vig will play for Bemidji State University, while Cournoyer is joining Ken Dryden’s alma matter, Cornell.

They also added a very talented prospect in L.J. Mooney, who joins Michael Hage and Sam Harris as some of the most interesting players who will feature in the NCAA.

There’s no doubt Mooney is overflowing with hockey skills, however, he’s expected to spend as much time as possible playing college hockey, especially since the jump from the USHL top the NCAA represents a significant step-up in competition.

MUST READ: Canadiens Prospect Rankings – Electric L.J. Mooney

Essentially, you can rely on superior talent in the USHL, whereas the NCAA prepares them to play professional hockey, which includes more strategies, detailed nutrition, and a bevy of new factors that weren’t already in play. Mooney is joining the University of Minnesota, the very same team that includes fellow Canadiens prospect Luke Mittelstadt.

As for Hage, he’s expected to once again drive the offence for the University of Michigan, where he established a very encouraging  production rate during his freshman season, to the tune of 13 goals and 21 assists in 33 games.

ON TOPIC: Canadiens Prospect Rankings – Supersonic Forward Michael Hage 

Few players in the Canadiens pipeline are more entertaining than Hage. Moreover, almost none of the prospects enjoy his combination of speed and hand-eye coordination, making him a prospect to watch in 2025-26.

Michael Hage with the unassisted goal! pic.twitter.com/YrwF34zfhb

— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) October 13, 2024

Harris is set to return to the University of Denver, where he will attempt to win a second national title under head coach David Carle. For what it’s worth, Carle could have accepted a job in the NHL at several points during his tenure, but he’s committed to his current position, which bodes well for Harris. There’s something to be said about a coach who is not immediately seduced by the allure of the NHL.

Personally, I love it, even if there’s a healthy chance Carle is leaving money off the table. On the flip side of the coin, given how quickly NHL teams tend to fire their new coaching hires in recent years, Carle has ensured he has a level of job security that simply isn’t available in the professional ranks.

On the power play, Pios up 3-0 with this goal from Sam Harris! 🚨#NCAAHockey x 🎥 ESPN+ / @DU_Hockey pic.twitter.com/voAXtYPBuw

— NCAA Ice Hockey (@NCAAIceHockey) March 28, 2025

Additional Montreal Canadiens Prospects In the NCAA

Jack Smith – Minnesota State University (Mankato)

Ben Merrill – Boston University Eagles

Logan Sawyer – Providence College

Quentin Miller – University of Denver

Montreal Canadiens prospect information via the NCAA and Elite Prospects.