With the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft the Boston Bruins select James Hagens, forward, Boston College.
Hagens is a 5’10” center who finished the pre draft process as the third ranked prospect on the NHL’s official prospect rankings. He is just 18-years-old hailing from Long Island, New York.
Hagens has played one season in college, tallying 37 points in 37 games in Chestnut Hill. He scored 11 goals on 99 shots in the Hockey East. Four of his eleven goals were game winners for the first year center.
There was murmuring on Long Island about the young forward getting drafted first overall, with some locals sporting “Bring Hagens Home” bumper stickers and signs. It is unclear why Hagens fell to seven, but according to Sportsnet, Hagens has been motivated to prove doubters wrong throughout the entire daft process.
“Hagens is highly motivated heading into the draft,” scout Jason Bukala said. “He was pretty open about the fact he feels like he deserved more respect for what he accomplished this season and that people are underestimating how good he is.”
Scouting Report on James Hagens
Before we get into what the scouts are saying about Hagens, let’s hear from the player himself.
“I love playing hard, I love getting into the battles,” Hagens told Sportsnet. “I don’t really like sitting on the outside, I guess, being pretty. There are times for that, but just getting into the game, being sure you’re not being a passenger [is important]. Sometimes I get [too] wrapped up in scrums, but that’s just part of the game.”
Bleacher Report’s Adam Herman did a write up on Hagens. He describes Hagens as a definitive skater, who carves through the sheet with elite agility.
“He can go from a full sprint to an immediate, sharp pivot without sacrificing any pace,” Herman writes. “He’s the player you want carrying the puck through the neutral zone to beat a conservative forecheck, and he is tough to contain in the offensive zone, as he usually finds ways to scoot out of pockets of pressure.”
The weaknesses Herman highlights on Hagens include his lack of an elite wrist shot. He says his shot lacks velocity and his release creates an easily saved saucer. He also knocks his size, saying that although players like Sidney Crosby have paved the way for shorter centers, it’s still not ideal. However, Herman, like every other outlet I have seen, was quick to compliment the young players grit.
“He does not get enough credit for his refusal to be intimidated by physicality,” Herman concluded. “He also has upside as a respectable defensive center. With his anticipatory skills and skating, he’s already showing signs of becoming a center who patrols the neutral zone and jumps into lanes to intercept plays.”
Hagens Will Remain At Boston College For His Sophomore Season
At just 18-years-old and with three years of eligibility remaining, it is a surprise to no one that Hagens will continue to play at Boston College for at least one more season. A far from complete product, he still has a lot of work to do before he’s ready to wear the Black and Gold. But luckily for Don Sweeney, the Bruins won’t have to travel far to talk to their first round pick.
“The Bruins rarely get to pick this high and could not have gotten better value at No. 7,” wrote FloHockey’s Lindsey Plotkin. “He’s an elite level player with a chance to make an impact in a few years. The Bruins definitely got better today and faster, too.”
