Hagens signs AHL tryout agreement, Bruins ‘keeping all options open’

James Hagens practiced with Providence of the American Hockey League on Tuesday after the Boston Bruins prospect signed an American Hockey League beginner tryout settlement.

The 19-year-old ahead was the No. 7 choose by Boston on the 2025 NHL Draft.

“It was fun. It was really exciting being out there for my first pro practice. It’s definitely something I’ll never forget,” Hagens mentioned. “It’s been really exciting, just waiting to see what the next chapter looks like and now being able to be here, I couldn’t be more excited.”

Hagens is predicted to play for Providence towards Springfield on Wednesday.

“Once I heard that, I was really open for it,” he mentioned about enjoying within the AHL. “It’s a great chance to be able to showcase your game, to be able to be part of a team like this.”

Hagens led Hockey East in scoring this season with 47 factors (23 targets, 24 assists) in 34 video games for Boston College. He additionally led the group with six game-winning targets, two hat tips and 133 photographs on objective.

He was named to the convention’s All-Rookie Team final season after he had 37 factors (11 targets, 26 assists). Hagens has 84 factors (34 targets, 50 assists) in 71 video games for Boston College over two seasons.

Hagens additionally performed two seasons (2022-24) with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), the place he had 187 factors (72 targets, 115 assists).

“As James referenced today, he’s excited to be able to play right away, and I think this presents that opportunity right away and then we just get to explore options as it goes along,” Bruins common supervisor Don Sweeney mentioned of why Providence is the correct place for Hagens. “He gets acclimated to the pro game, it’s a big step coming from college, and it just allows him to jump right into the lineup.”

Asked whether or not Hagens might want to play a minimal variety of AHL video games earlier than shifting as much as the NHL, Sweeney mentioned, “There’s just continued evaluation, let him get comfortable and make necessary steps, and as I said, (coach) Marco (Sturm) determines if a player can help us (and) then he’ll be part of our club. … This will be just a process that allows him to get comfortable, and if it presents that he can help our lineup, then that’s the decision we’ll make.”

A local of Hauppauge, New York, Hagens has represented the US twice at IIHF World Junior Championship (2025, 2026) and the U-18 World Championship (2023, 2024). Hagens gained gold on the 2025 WJC and the 2023 U-18 match. He holds the U-18 males’s World Championship single match scoring report with 22 factors in 2024, incomes match MVP honors and serving to the United States take dwelling the silver medal.

“His production is still really good,” Sweeney mentioned. “He’s performed much more on the wing, which might be a better entry level for a younger participant within the National Hockey League. That, once more, stays to be seen.

“We drafted him as a center, he can play center, but now he’s playing both sides. So, I think that adds to the versatility.”

Hagens mentioned he is heard from Bruins gamers, together with defenseman Charlie McAvoy.

“He felt a really nice text; him being a Long Island guy (Long Beach, New York) is something that was really cool,” Hagens mentioned.