This year’s training camp is nearly upon us and it looks set to be one of enormous importance for rookie defenseman Nic Hague.
After enjoying a breakout year for the Chicago Wolves in the AHL, Hague will now enter training camp looking to nail down a roster spot and make sure he’s a full-time member of the Vegas Golden Knights come opening night.
He will face stiff competition for the last spot available on the blueline, however, with Jimmy Schuldt, Jake Bischoff, Dylan Coghlan and Zach Whitecloud all thought to be in the mix. It should be a fascinating battle to watch throughout training camp.
However, you could put forward a strong argument that Hague is in the best possible decision to make an impression during training camp and, as a result, earn his chance to be on the opening night roster for the Golden Knights.
Although he’s coming off the back of just his first full year as a professional, Hague was outstanding for the Chicago Wolves in 2018-19 and he boasts plenty of upside and a high ceiling too.
In 75 regular season games for the Wolves in the AHL, Hague posted a plus/minus rating of +31 and tallied 32 points (13 goals, 19 assists), in addition to four goals and seven assists for 11 points in 22 games in the Calder Cup Playoffs.
That followed what was a stunning final year in junior hockey where he recorded 35 goals and 43 assists for 78 points in 67 games for the Mississauga Steelheads in the OHL, a year he also wore the “C” on his jersey.
As a result of those exploits, Hague followed in the footsteps of NHL defensemen Ryan Ellis, Dougie Hamilton and Drew Doughty by winning the Max Kaminsky Trophy, awarded to the league’s best defenseman.
After reading those stats alone, you can see why Vegas President of Hockey Operations George McPhee selected Hague with the 34th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, and it is clear that the 20-year-old has a bright future in hockey.
He’s projected to be a top-four blueliner and he’s the complete package in terms of his imposing size (6’6″ & 214 lbs) and his ability to flourish and thrive in both zones. Hague is built for the modern-day NHL and he reminds me of Golden Knights blueliner Shea Theodore in terms of how they both play the game.
Hague, who led all AHL defenseman with four playoff goals, is on the cusp of making the leap to the NHL and, in an interview with nhl.com/goldenknights, he revealed his intention to battle for a roster spot once training camp opens.
"“I felt like my game came a long way in Chicago this year. I just want to come back here and show those improvements I made. I just want to be a leader and show that I have improved. Try to stand out and prove that I’m here to make the team.”"
Not only does he possess all the skills in his locker required to make it in the majors, but Hague also has the correct mindset as backed up by those quotes. He carries a wise old head on his young shoulders and that will stand him in good stead when trying to impress the Vegas coaching staff.
There is a wealth of blueline talent in the Golden Knights farm system and Hague is perhaps the jewel in the defensive crown. He stood out during his third development camp with the franchise in June, although the biggest test lies in wait.
Whether or not he succeeds in his ultimate mission of winning a roster spot with the Vegas Golden Knights for 2019-20 remains to be seen, but there is no doubt that Hague is built for the NHL and he looks primed to make that leap sooner rather than later.
Nic Hague will also be part of the 2019 Rookie Camp roster that will take part in the Anaheim Rookie Faceoff between September 7-10. High-end forward Cody Glass will also feature, as will the likes of Marcus Kallionkieli, Mason Primeau, Xaxier Bouchard, Jimmy Schuldt and Dylan Ferguson.
Rookie Camp will see the Golden Knights practice at City National Arena before heading to Anaheim to take on the Colorado Avalanche, Arizona Coyotes and the Anaheim Ducks, before concluding camp with a rookie practice. More information can be found here.