By: Ryan Bosworth | Follow me on Twitter/X @RyanJBosworth
The Boston Bruins’ 2025 first-round draft pick, the seventh overall pick of the draft, has officially turned pro, with the announcement coming late last night. The manner in which he did so, however, came as a surprise to many.
It seemed as though, in the days leading up to him signing, he was going to start out in the National Hockey League, as many high-end talents have done when making their debuts.
James Hagens, however, took a different route, signing an amateur tryout agreement (ATO) with the ruins affiliate Providence Bruins of the American Hockey League, and his mindset about the first steps of his professional career are exactly as Bruins’ management could’ve hoped — professional and mature.
He’s saying all of the things you’d want to hear from your highest-valued prospect in 15 years as he starts his professional career.
“You let agents talk and deal with that stuff. I just want to be able to play hockey and to be able to have this opportunity, it’s something that you just have to try to run with,” Hagens said following his first practice after turning pro.
“I love it. Nothing’s given, everything’s earned. So it’s just knowing that you have to earn a spot wherever you go. So that’s going out there, it’s working your hardest. It’s trying to show everything you worked for.”
When asked about the message he received from Boston, he put it simply, stating,“They’re giving me an opportunity here. So it’s up to me to make the most of it.”
Hagens could’ve strung this out, and made it a difficult process for both parties, but he didn’t. His mindset was made clear today, and he’s going about it the right way. Did he want to start in Boston? Undoubtedly. Is he going to let starting in Providence deter him from showcasing his talents for Bruins management? Absolutely not.
“Hopefully going out there, showing everything you work for, showcasing your game, trying to be responsible, earning the coach’s trust, and that’s a big thing if you want to get called up.”
The fear of Hagens turning pro and beginning in the AHL was a fright for many — but not Hagens. He’s taking his new assignment in stride, and is ready to showcase what he brings to the table for the Bruins. Though he certainly has his work cut out for him, as Sweeney spoke ahead of the Bruins game tonight, and was asked what he wants to see Hagens improve on.
Hagens has always rose to the level at which he was playing. Playing in Providence is just the next step in his development, and he understands that.
Hagens is slated to make his Providence Bruins debut tomorrow night, as the team heads out to Springfield to take on the Springfield Thunderbirds. At practice today, he was slotted on the left wing, alongside Matej Blumel and Patrick Brown, two of Providence’s top scorers this season.
Leave a Reply