By: Ellie Man | Follow me on Twitter/X @ellieyym
When Boston Bruins head coach Marco Sturm stated ahead of training camp that veterans would effectively be prioritized for having already put in the hard work, there was an uproar from Bruins fans. The largest and most frequent complaint was that 19-year-old James Hagens deserves more time on ice, forcing him to find his footing by actively playing and – hopefully – quickly establishing himself as the offensive star that the team is looking for.
Now in the midst of training, Sturm has admitted that Hagens has clearly demonstrated his growth. He said, “He already looks different to me than last season. He’s bigger, stronger.” This progress has also shone through in an increase in confidence, translating well into his performance and his transition from a center to a winger. On top of this is the additional comfort of having the team and establishment be familiar to him in this next step forward. When combining all these factors, Hagens appears increasingly prepared to take on a larger role.
In the Bruins’ first preseason game, the team took on the Washington Capitals to get their campaign underway. A 1-1 tie saw the match go into a shootout to decide the final outcome. Hagens shot the puck into the back of the net, bringing home the win to give Boston an early boost. The New York native commented, “It was great to be able to get the win the other night. It’s been really fun being able to compete for a roster spot.” With this moment in his pocket and the clear display of trust to take the shot, there’s no doubt that Hagens is giving Sturm plenty to think about.
As training camp progresses and the regular season draws closer, the forward’s role in the Bruins roster looks to be taking form. He has most experience sharing a line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, which has been affectionately dubbed the team’s kid line. Hagens has played five games (including three playoff games) so far, making his debut in the National Hockey League last season. This trial by fire saw him achieve one point, assisting a wrist shot by Henri Jokiharju and further showing flashes of his ability.
Sturm has further highlighted how keen he is on this method. Drawing upon his own experience as a coach and player, he claimed, “Those little few games, little stretches, end of the season, I do believe it helps. […] You already come in totally different the following season.” He also stressed that this process works across leagues, mentioning Providence by name.
Alongside exposure, this brief experience allows players to get a feel for the elite level and adjust to its demands. By understanding what is required of a player and in turn working on identified shortfalls over the summer break, they can return better prepared with added refinement to their game. As such, Hagens’ development path might not be a unique case. If Sturm’s approach pays off, he will be a key figure to thank for the Bruins’ young talent developing into reliable and impactful players that the future will only celebrate.
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