By: Ryan Bosworth | Follow me on Twitter / X @RyanJBosworth
Earlier today, the World Junior Summer Showcase opened with Team USA White squaring off with Team Finland. Three Boston Bruins’ prospects were playing for Team USA White, those three being James Hagens, William Moore, and Elliott Groenewold. Will Zellers will be suiting up for Team USA Blue later this afternoon.
Hagens slotted in at the first-line center position, and he didn’t fail to impress. Right out of the gate, there was a style to his play that was more noticeable than those around him. He was making smart plays with both the puck and his body, finding open lanes, and generating offense for Team USA.
Team USA opened the scoring against Finland, going up 1-0 just ten minutes into the first period. Ryker Lee potted the goal, but if not for a nice feed from Hagens, which showed just how patient he is with the puck, Lee likely wouldn’t have found the back of the net.
Hagens and Lee were in low, alone, against Finland’s netminder and Lee was possessing the puck. He passed it across the slot to Hagens, and instead of Hagens trying to tuck it away, he waited an extra second, sent it back across to Lee who was able to put the puck away with a lot more open net.
Hagens’ second tally of the game came from a feed to Teddy Stiga from before the offensive zone. Hagens dropped back to cover the point for Dakoda Rheaume-Mullen, who stepped up to drive the net with Stiga, who was able to pot another goal for Team USA.
There was no shortage of chances for Hagens today, though, as he found himself in the right position several times throughout the game, but was met with solid goaltending which would prevent Hagens from finding the scoresheet for goals of his own.
Along with several scoring chances, Hagens’ puck handling was on full display, especially in the offensive zone. He was finding the open space in the offensive zone, showing impressive puck handling skills, all while finding his guys for scoring chances despite tough passing lanes. While they didn’t result in as many goals as Hagens would’ve liked, it was an extremely promising showing from the seventh overall pick.
In addition to his noticeable offensive skill, Hagens was much more physical than he typically is. He was throwing around his body and making checks throughout the game. There’s definitely a “chip on his shoulder” that he’s using to his advantage.
Hagens came out of the gates strong today, and he continues to prove why the Bruins made the right choice in selecting him seventh overall, despite him falling right into their laps. He’s smart with the puck, has an extremely high hockey IQ, can find the right lanes to make plays happen and can quickly release the puck to create chances, and he showed that several times today.
Hagens and Team USA White will play again tomorrow, Monday, July 28th, against Sweden at 4:30 p.m. EST.
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