Bruins Draft Pick James Hagens Eager For NHL Jump

The Boston Bruins’ 2025 first-round draft pick James Hagens has made one thing clear: He wants to be in the NHL as soon as possible.

The 18-year-old is likely to go back to Boston College for his sophomore season, where he’ll be a top-line center.

During his freshman year with the Eagles, Hagens tallied 11 goals and 26 assists for 37 points. As a true freshman, he was third in points on BC, behind now-NHLers Ryan Leonard (49) and Gabe Perreault (48).

After his sophomore year, the question arises whether Hagens will make the jump to the Bruins.

“I want to play in the NHL as soon as possible,” Hagens told reporters on Friday night after being drafted. “That’s a conversation with the team, whether we’re doing that now or once the college season’s over, that’s the conversation we’d have to have.”

Despite Hagens’ eagerness to be a professional hockey player, general manager Don Sweeney is making sure not to rush his development.

“We will just incrementally have discussions about where (Hagens is) at,” Sweeney said after the draft. “There will be no hurry to try and fast-track James, I’d say that about every player. If somewhere between now and then that changes, and we feel differently about it as we’re evaluating, we may make that decision. I know he’d like to play right away. I’m sure every guy that was drafted thinks they might be able to play in the National Hockey League, but we’ll allow that to take a more natural course and make the right decision for James and the organization.”

During his time in Chestnut Hill, Hagens gained weight to prepare for the physicality of the NHL. He went from 178 pounds to around 190 pounds to help his adjustment to playing against professionals.

“It felt great, it’s not affecting my speed or anything at all,” Hagens said about the change after development camp on Monday. “If anything, that’s a goal I wanted to get to. I’m really glad I’m at this weight. It’s going to help me, especially when you’re trying to make the jump to the NHL.”

The center already has a professional mindset about how he is taking his development with the Bruins. After having the option to skip the first day of development camp on Monday due to getting to Boston late that morning, Hagens decided to still get on the ice.

No matter what the first-round pick and the Bruins decide to do, Hagens will be just a short drive away for Boston fans to watch.