by At first, James Hagens had to do a double take.
A glass-encased collection of artifacts and polaroids about the NHL Draft and the optimism that arises when a team adds a fortune-shifting prospect can be found tucked away in a corner of the Bruins Heritage Hall.
The first photos that caught Hagens’ attention were pictures of a clean-shaven Joe Thornton and a baby-faced David Pastrnak, long before he was uncorking howitzers from the left circle.
A recent addition to that collection, however, looks to the future in an exhibit that documents the first 100 years of the Original Six franchise.
Hagens now joins Pastrnak, Thornton, Charlie McAvoy, and other Bruins franchise icons in that shadow box after wearing a spoked-B sweater for the first time during Friday’s NHL Draft.
Several franchise regulars getting drafted is one of the exhibits of the Bruins Heritage Hall.The picture of James Hagens has already been included.Hagens’ thoughts on going to TD Garden:It motivates you to join the team. It motivates you to put up your best effort in order to get picked.Twitter: https://QJQWz5eFTZ
Hagens, a youth with enormous talent who is now burdened with the responsibility of saving the club in Boston, is subject to such expectations.
Talk of that pressure, however, soon gave way to chance and the reward that awaits him when he makes the journey from Chestnut Hill to Causeway Street for the seventh choice in the 2025 NHL Draft’s visit of TD Garden on Monday night.
After his first day at Development Camp, Hagens remarked of his visit to the Garden, “It makes you want to make the team.” It motivates you to put in your best effort in order to become the man who can call this place home. You might be performing for these fans on the ice.
Hagens has visited the Bruins home barn before, including on Monday.
Over the years, Hagens and his family traveled to Boston for frequent hockey competitions. Since his initial arrival on the Boston campus last fall, he has more than gotten his bearings.
After playing two games in the Beanpot in February, he engraved his skates into the TD Garden ice sheet. Later, in April, he joined his Eagles friends beside the glass to see Ryan Leonard make his NHL debut.
Whether it’s in the fall or after the Eagles season ends in March or April, Hagens hopes to emulate Leonard in 2025–2026.
Every promising hockey player who is about to make their professional debut experiences the same outcome.
Hagens felt reassured, however, as he walked around the Bruins dressing room and onto the floor where his dekes and dangles could make almost 20,000 people stand up as one.
It seemed as if the Long Island native had returned to Boston by chance.
According to Hagens, the supporters are extremely fervent about this team. Here, they take their sports quite seriously. I was lucky to get selected by the Bruins since I wanted to attend this institution. Being able to remain in Boston is a dream come true. It feels a lot like home.
At least a couple more months will pass before the ice is removed from Causeway.
However, the message from Boston’s staff remained resolute as Hagens and the other members of the Bruins Development Camp roster visited the arena.
As they sat in the team’s dressing room, Adam McQuad, a former Bruins blueliner and current player development coordinator, addressed the Boston camp roster, “If things aren’t going your way and you need a push, this is something to think back on.” It is a goal to strive for.
Hagens hasn’t wasted any time putting his best foot forward.
The talented forward was given a break by Boston’s staff hours before he gazed at the banners hanging over the Garden floor and read through newspaper cuttings from Orr’s time.
And with good cause.
Hagens and Bruins second-round pick Will Moore were scheduled to catch an aircraft from Los Angeles to Boston on Saturday night, the day following their draft selections.
The plane was canceled after a long delay.
“When you’re sleeping together on the airport floor, you definitely develop a deeper connection,” Moore jokingly said.
It was 10 p.m. on the East Coast when the two eventually got aboard a plane headed for Boston.
They were supposed to leave for Warrior Ice Arena at 6:45 that morning, but it was already 4 a.m. when they got to the team hotel.
What was Hagens’ main worry at the time? not waking up Andre Gasseau, his BC teammate and hotel roommate.
Regarding Hagen’s early morning arrival, Gasseau remarked, “I had my earplugs in.” He told me that he was moving around the room on tiptoe.
Hagens and Moore both passed their physicals, despite operating on just over two hours of sleep. The Bruins allowed both forwards to skip Monday’s ice drills because of their short turnaround time and the days they spent visiting every Hudson News stand at LAX.
Prior to drills, the Bruins PR department revealed that Hagens and Moore will not be attending the first day of camp.
Moore and Hagens had alternative ideas.
The forwards took the ice just twenty minutes after the team released the statement justifying their absence.
It was an obvious choice for Hagens.
William Moore and James Hagens are skating.NjVvwMmzJf https://t.co/BqAHeXWs9ipic.twitter.com
After practice, Hagens remarked, “You can’t say no when you have the chance to put on the Bruin jersey.” It makes no difference how much sleep you get or what kind of travel delay you have. You get to wear the jersey for the first time, which is a dream come true.
To tell me I couldn’t get on the ice, you would have to cut off my leg.
During edge work drills, Hagens separated from the pack, although he was unharmed. If nothing else, he kept it from McQuaid and the other Boston development staff.
After a hectic couple of days, he didn’t appear to lose a beat, McQuaid said. You can see how confident and fluid he is with the puck. He appears to be thrilled to be outside.
When he got to shoot after coming down one end, it was like, “Okay, let’s go.” motivated to get some goals. So, yes, both on and off the ice, it was a fantastic first day and first impression.
Hours after leading the way on the ice, Hagens planted himself at the front of the auditorium at Heritage Hall for a video feature on the Bruins.
The panel displayed the standard hits.
- No. 4 sailing through the sky.
- Wensink challenging Minnesota s bench.
- Thomas stonewalling the Canucks.
- Bergeron s OT winner against Toronto.
- Chara his shattered jaw held him in place by wiring showered by cheers at TD Garden in 2019.
For a New York nativewho once had a poster of Matt Martin on his bedroom wall, some of those videos may not have resonated.
At least, not until now.
In Hagens, a Bruins team short on elite talent and a fanbase yearning for hope has seemingly found its man.
And in return, Hagens has found a new home and a team and city worth fighting for as he sets his sights on a black-and-gold sweater.
It comes with a lot of pride, Hagens said at practice of being Boston s first top-10 pick in 14 years. A lot of honor to be able to be a part of something like this to be able to even get picked and to say you re picked by the Boston Bruins. It doesn t really hit you until you re up on that stage.
But you know it s going to come with a lot of hard work. I know how hard it s going to be, and that s just, it s just a big step. I m willing to do it. I m willing to give everything I possibly have into this game and this organization to the fan base.
I m just excited to get it going.
Since 2023, Conor Ryan has worked as a staff writer for Boston.com, covering the Boston Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox.
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