With their first-round pick, seventh overall, in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft, the Boston Bruins selected James Hagens of Boston College.
I had Hagens ranked as the third-best player in this draft, right behind Matthew Schaefer and Michael Misa. That opinion has nothing to do with him landing with the Bruins—I’ve been firm on this for months, and even highlighted it in my first-round preview.
From there, I thought the draft could play out in numerous different ways. And it did – after Schaefer and Misa were selected.
Hagens will return to Boston College where he will be with three fellow Bruins picks in Oskar Jellvik, Andre Gasseau and Dean Letourneau.
James Hagens: From Backyard Rinks to NHL Dreams
Born on November 3, 2006, in Hauppauge, New York, Hagens has emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in the hockey world. His journey from a backyard rink on Long Island to being drafted is a story of passion, perseverance, and family support.
James grew up in a tight-knit household where hockey wasn’t just a sport—it was a way of life. His parents, Michael and Kristine Hagens, played a pivotal role in nurturing his love for the game. Michael, a former defenseman and lifelong New York Islanders fan, introduced his children to hockey at an early age. He even built a backyard rink where James and his older brother, Mike, would spend countless hours battling it out until their mom called them in for dinner. Kristine, equally dedicated, juggled the demanding schedule of practices, tournaments, and schoolwork, ensuring her children had every opportunity to thrive.
James is the middle child in the Hagens family. His older brother, Mike, is also a talented defenseman who plays at Boston College, while his younger sister, Emma, is a promising forward on a girls’ team in Long Island. The sibling rivalry between James and Mike was fierce but formative. Mike and his friends never gave James an inch, forcing him to develop grit and resilience from a young age. That competitive fire would become a defining trait in James’s game.
Growing up, James was a die-hard New York Islanders fan. He idolized John Tavares and has fond memories of attending games at Nassau Coliseum and Barclays Center. He even kept a towel from his first playoff game as a keepsake. The Islanders weren’t just his favorite team—they were the spark that ignited his dream of playing in the NHL. That dream took root on Long Island’s rinks and blossomed into a full-blown pursuit of excellence.
James’s formal hockey journey began with the Long Island Royals, where he quickly stood out for his skating, vision, and hockey IQ. His talent earned him a spot in the prestigious USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP), where he played for both the under-17 and under-18 teams during the 2022–23 season. With the U17 squad, he tallied 26 goals and 40 assists in 43 games. He also contributed seven goals and 12 assists in 17 games with the U18 team, showcasing his ability to adapt and excel at higher levels of competition.
In 2023–24, James continued to shine in the United States Hockey League (USHL), recording 18 goals and 29 assists in just 26 games. His performance earned him MVP honors at the 2024 BioSteel All-American Game, where he notched a goal and an assist. That same year, he led the IIHF World U18 Championships in scoring with nine goals and 13 assists in seven games, setting a new tournament record with 22 points. He was named tournament MVP, best forward, and was selected to the media all-star team.
James’s international resume is as impressive as his domestic one. He represented the United States at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, where he set a tournament record with 21 points in seven games. He followed that up with a gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships and a silver medal in 2024. In 2025, he was named to the U.S. team for the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he recorded five goals and four assists in seven games, helping Team USA capture gold.
In the fall of 2024, James began his collegiate career at Boston College, one of the NCAA’s premier hockey programs. As a freshman, he played in all 37 games, scoring 11 goals and adding 26 assists for a point-per-game pace. He centered a dynamic top line alongside Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, both of whom made their NHL debuts later that season. James’s performance earned him a spot on the Hockey East All-Rookie Team and solidified his status as a top prospect for the 2025 NHL Draft.
Despite entering the 2024–25 season as the consensus number one prospect, James’s draft stock fluctuated due to concerns about his goal-scoring output and physicality. At 5-foot-11 and 176 pounds, he was considered slightly undersized for an NHL center. However, scouts remained enamored with his elite skating, creativity, and two-way play. His ability to control the pace of the game, combined with his high hockey IQ, made him a coveted asset.
James’s journey is far from over. As he prepares to transition to the NHL, he carries with him the lessons learned on backyard rinks, the support of a devoted family, and the dreams of a kid who once cheered from the stands at Nassau Coliseum. His story is a testament to what can be achieved with talent, tenacity, and a little help from home.
Whether he becomes a franchise cornerstone or a steady contributor, one thing is certain: James Hagens is just getting started. And for fans of the game, watching his career unfold promises to be a thrilling ride.
Hagens is widely regarded as one of the most cerebral and dynamic playmakers of his draft class. His hockey sense is off the charts—he reads the ice with a level of anticipation that allows him to see plays unfolding well before they materialize. This foresight enables him to execute passes through tight seams or deliver pinpoint setups that catch defenders flat-footed. Whether threading a soft touch pass through traffic or launching a crisp feed across multiple layers of defense, Hagens consistently elevates the play of those around him.
When Hagens is on the ice, he controls the rhythm and flow of possession. He’s especially adept at holding onto the puck just long enough to draw defenders in and create space for his teammates to exploit. This patience, combined with his elite vision, makes him a natural power-play quarterback and a nightmare for penalty killers.
Hagens’ offensive toolkit is as diverse as it is refined. He’s equally comfortable finishing plays as he is creating them. While his shot lacks elite velocity, he compensates with quick release mechanics and an uncanny ability to find soft areas near the net. Most of his goals come from high-danger areas, where he uses his agility and timing to slip into open space and capitalize before goalies can react.
His hands are exceptionally quick and soft, allowing him to maneuver through traffic and execute dekes in tight quarters. This makes him particularly dangerous in one-on-one situations, whether he’s facing a defender at the blue line or a goaltender in the crease. His stickhandling is not just flashy—it’s functional, enabling him to maintain possession under pressure and extend plays that would otherwise die on another player’s stick.
Hagens possesses elite edge work and lateral mobility, which he uses to evade defenders and create separation. However, his north-south technique needs some fine tuning. He can shift gears effortlessly, going from a full sprint to a sharp pivot without losing momentum. This agility makes him elusive in the offensive zone and a constant threat off the rush.
Defensively, Hagens shows promise as a responsible center. His anticipation and quickness allow him to disrupt plays in the neutral zone and jump into passing lanes. While he’s not known for physicality, he doesn’t shy away from contact and is willing to engage when necessary. At 5’11” and 186 pounds, he’s still learning how to leverage his frame effectively, but he’s shown a willingness to finish checks and battle in contested areas.
So, why did he slip?
A few scouts I spoke with had two different concerns: Some felt he would not be a center in the NHL while others believe he plays too much of a perimeter game.
Dom - Hockey 