By: Tom Calautti | Follow me on Twitter/X @TCalauttis
Many in the hockey world believed the Boston Bruins were lucky to land a talent like James Hagens with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. Now, 26 games into his sophomore season, he’s proving those people right.
There were two major knocks on Hagens as he entered his draft year: his height/overall stature (5’11, 193lbs) and his production as a freshman (11-26-37 points in 37 games).
Despite producing at a point-per-game pace, some believed that a prospect of Hagens’ caliber should’ve put up even bigger numbers in his first season with the Boston College Eagles.
One year and a whole lot of noise later, Hagens is starting to make some noise.
There were questions about whether or not the seventh overall selection would be able to significantly increase his production in his second season on Chestnut Hill.
Following last season’s Regional Final loss to Denver in the NCAA tournament, BC underwent a mass exodus of talent. The Eagles saw leading scorers Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perrault turn pro, as well as goaltender Jacob Fowler and defensemen Aidan Hreschuk and Eamon Powell.
That talent migration left the Eagles vulnerable in the ever-dangerous Hockey East. But thanks to Hagens (with a little help from fellow Bruins prospects Dean Letourneau and Andre Gasseau), the wheels are back on the tracks.
On the season, the Long Island, NY native has 17-17-34 in 26 games. He’s already surpassed his goal total from the previous season and is just 3 points off his total pace with six games to go (not including the Hockey East and potential NCAA tournament games).
His 34 points are good enough for 15th among all NCAA skaters, while his 1.31 points per game rank him ninth in the nation. Simply put, Hagens has elevated his game.
When you factor in what this roster lost last off-season and the turnover the Eagles have seen, Hagens’ accomplishments are all the more impressive.
The fact that he’s played without Leonard and Perrault on his wings, with completely different personnel on the power play, and with a team lacking the high-end talent of last year’s squad, and still produced, is a testament to the player and his upside.
Got off to a strong start this season, but wasn’t able to completely quiet the noise from his critics. He posted 18 points over his first 16 games, but that still wasn’t enough to separate him among the best players in college hockey.
Then came the World Junior Championship, where Hagens was second on his squad in scoring behind only fellow Bruins prospect Will Zellers (Zellers finished with 5-3-8, Hagens with 2-5-7). After that tournament and the Christmas break, Hagens has been shot out of a cannon.
Since returning to play, the BC forward has posted 7-9-16 over his last ten contests. Those stats include a Beanpot Championship (something the Eagles haven’t accomplished since 2016) and Tournament MVP honors.
These elevated numbers, along with BC’s improved play, have firmly pushed the Eagles into the NCAA Tournament discussion. They’ve also propelled Hagns into the heart of this season’s Hobey Baker Award conversation.
He still has more to show, and Boston College’s biggest games have yet to happen, but given the rapid jump in production and sustained success, it’s difficult not to be excited about Hagens.
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