By: Jack Studley | Follow me on Twitter/X @jackstudley13
The Boston Bruins landed a gift from the hockey gods on draft night. James Hagens is a natural talent who was the consensus first overall pick coming into the beginning of the 2024-25 season, and somehow the Bruins landed him with the seventh pick. The Hauppauge, NY native grew up on Long Island and committed to Boston College with his brother in September 2023. Hagens finished with 37 points in 37 games during his freshman season and picked up nine points in seven games with Team USA at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
James Hagens has his priorities set for the season ahead: “I want to be able to win a Beanpot, be able to win a national championship,” Hagens said to NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale at the World Junior Summer Showcase. Returning to Chestnut Hill will greatly benefit Hagens’ growth and development as a player, and with the departures of former linemates Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault to the NHL, James Hagens has the opportunity to steer the ship at BC this season. Staying in school also allows Hagens to play for Team USA at the World Junior Championships this year, which will be held in Minnesota.
James Hagens played exceptionally well at development camp and was easily the most talented player on the ice. His skating was precise, and his hockey IQ was displayed throughout the week. He could read defenses and use those reads to create plays, and his ability to find the open lane is exceptional. At the Bruins’ development camp, Hagens and the team spoke about the best path for his development, and it appears that Boston College is the answer. Don Sweeney does not want to rush or fast-track James Hagens.
At Boston College, Hagens will likely line up this season with Teddy Stiga, his teammate and linemate earlier in their careers. The two were on a line together with the USA U18 Team and the National Team Development Program. Even after finishing with an average of a point per game during his freshman season at Boston College, Hagens slipped to the seventh spot in the draft. It is safe to say that he will be looking to prove why he was the consensus first overall pick, and that letting him fall that far was a mistake.
College hockey is growing. With the massive influx of CHL players committing to the NCAA, the game is only getting bigger and better. Boston College will compete, as they seemingly always do, and the Hockey East is routinely one of the most competitive hockey conferences. Hagens is playing on a competitive team, with an opportunity to win the national championship, and in doing so, he leads the charge of a team full of Bruins prospects. Under the guidance of potential captain, and Bruins prospect, Andre Gasseau, the Eagles also feature Oskar Jellvik, Dean Letourneau, Will Moore, and Kristian Kostadinski.
It is still possible that James Hagens will be in the black and gold by the time the Boston College season ends, whether in late March or early April. His play at the World Junior Summer Showcase is already impressing a current Bruins superstar. With a year of experience in an elevated role, James Hagens is shaping up to have a productive season at Boston College. Playing in Chestnut Hill will continue to best benefit his growth and development as a player and serve as his launchpad into the NHL.
Boston College’s season begins on October 3, with a home game against Quinnipiac University. Eight Bruins prospects will play in that game, and the six Bruins prospects on the Eagles will take on Chris Pelosi and Elliott Groenewold. The rest of the Boston College schedule has been released and can be found here.
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