While we had an unofficial installment of this series about an American born-and-trained player (specifically one on Cole Eiserman, which can be found on our Facebook and Instagram pages), this is the first true article in this sequence of prospect reviews that hones in on a talent that is a product of USA Hockey. This time, after having written about a commit to Boston University from nearby Newburyport MA, we appropriately enough will be examining a player who just recently committed to the other party to the Green Line Rivalry, Boston College. This left-shooting center from Long Island is perhaps the biggest threat to Michael Misa’s status as the most likely #1 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. Let us take a look at this 16-year-old’s accomplishments to this point, his player profile, and what we can expect in terms of his trajectory in college and the pros.

James Hagens was born in Hauppauge, NY on November 3rd, 2006. A product of the Long Island Royals system, Hagens has always demonstrated impressive offensive abilities. At the 13U AAA level with the Royals in 2019-20, Hagens posted 31 points in 21 games, as well as 12 points in 13 games with the 14U team that same season. Making the jump to Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, RI the following season, Hagens tallied 57 points in 27 games with their 14U AAA team, then made the jump to Mount St. Charles’ 15U side for 2021-22, posting what some might call “video game numbers.” In a combined 64 appearances, Hagens tallied 131 points, a pace that is over two points a game. Sure enough, this got the attention of the US National Team Development Program, with whom he has played since. While his numbers playing against USHL squads on the standard US NTDP schedule have been respectable, it perhaps has been his performance in tournament play that has impressed the most. In the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge, the Long Islander led the tournament in scoring (as well as broke the all-time record) with 21 points in 7 games (a 3 points-per-game pace), with Cole Eiserman (with whom he played alongside all season this past year) trailing him with 20 and there being an 8 point gap between Eiserman and third place, as the eventual commits to rival schools led the red, white, & blue to a gold medal. Hagens also did fairly well at the IIHF U18 World Championships considering his youth, scoring 5 points in 7 games (far from being in the running for best in the tournament, but not bad) and winning another gold medal representing his country. Playing big games and to the occasion is something Hagens clearly already has experience with.

One element of Hagens’ play that doesn’t get mentioned much is his two-way ability. While a great set-up man and possessing good strength and speed on the offensive side, he also already has impressive defensive and physical capabilities, as well as faceoff skills according to his Eliteprospects profile. As such, much of what he brings to the game isn’t easily seen in his statistical boxes, since minor and junior players have a dearth of information with regards to their impacts in other areas. That said, it is worth noting that Hagens has never been a minus player in the years we have numbers for. It is also worth mentioning that he tends to be pass-first, as most of his seasons have seen him tally more assists than goals, meaning he has plenty of “traditional center” prowess already. It is interesting and worth contemplating what effect this might have on his draft stock. It is possible that he might have more of a complete game in the pros than Michael Misa, but perhaps not the same superstar/gamebreaker scoring ability, which might be what prevents Hagens from getting taken first overall. That said, Hagens has drastically out-performed Misa in tournament play, which is something that scouts place a lot of his emphasis on. His development at the US NTDP and BC (he will begin playing at The Heights in 2025-26, with his elder brother Michael Hagens, a solid player in his own right on the blueline for the USHL’s Chicago Steel joining in 2024-25) will do well to continue to shape him in the great direction he appears headed in. Boston College supporters and athletic brass await with bated breath for the latest great recruit (his status as the newest outstanding player, alongside his brother, brought on by Boston College Eagles head coach Greg Brown in the last couple of years having been confirmed on Wednesday, September 20th) to take his next big steps in his career on the Conte Forum ice. As someone with much interest in future prospects as well as the exciting direction that one of college sports’ greatest rivalries is headed in, I do, as well.