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Golden Knights prospect Nicolas Hague named OHL defenseman of the year

Vegas Golden Knights prospect Nicolas Hague is the 2018 recipient of the Max Kominsky Trophy, awarded annually to the Ontario Hockey League’s most outstanding defenseman of the year.

The Golden Knights selected Hague in the second round (34th overall) of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He finished the 2017-2018 season with 35 goals and 78 points in 67 games, good for second overall among defensemen.

A member of the Mississauga Steelheads, Hague shattered his previous personal bests in goals, assists and points, and he saw a 32-point increase from last season. He led his team in scoring and set single-season franchise records in goals and points by a defenseman. His 35 goals were the most scored by an OHL defenseman since 1997-98 (Chris Allen). In addition, Hague now sits atop Mississauga’s all-time goals by a defenseman list, with 67 tallies.

Hague also led all defensemen in power-play goals (15), which ranked fifth overall among all skaters.

Past winners of the award include Aaron Ekblad, Dougie Hamilton, Ryan Ellis (twice), Drew Doughty, Chris Pronger, Al MacInnis, among others.

The 6-foot-6, 215-pound imposing defenseman, still just 19 years old, signed a three-year entry-level contract with Vegas in September. He played five regular-season games and three playoff games for Vegas’ AHL affiliate Chicago Wolves, who were swept in the first round of this year’s Calder Cup Playoffs.

Hague is still relatively early on in his development, but has a promising future in the Knights organization.