There’s a lot of uncertainty on the horizon for James Hagens.
The Boston College forward is projected to be a Top 5 pick in next month’s NHL Draft. Hagens’ hometown New York Islanders own the top selection in the draft, followed by San Jose, Chicago, Utah and Nashville. The Long Island native could wind up all over the map.
As a 17-year-old, Hagens was a point-per-game player at BC in a competitive Hockey East, scoring 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games. However, the 5-foot-11, 177-pound center hasn’t yet decided on whether he’ll be back for a sophomore season. That’ll depend on where he’s drafted to.
“Just have to see what happens. There’s no decision made yet,” Hagens said on a Tuesday morning Zoom call. “That’s a discussion that me and my family and the team would have to have after the draft.”
Hagens isn’t expected to be available when the Bruins are on the clock at No. 7 overall, but after a year at Chestnut Hill, he said he’d be happy to stick around the area.
“I love Boston,” Hagens said. “Being at Boston College, we’re right in the middle of Boston there. So it’s a beautiful city. Only great things to say about it. I love it there.”
At Elite Prospects, Hagens is the consensus No. 3 ranked player on the board in the 2025 NHL Draft, trailing just Erie Otters defenseman Michael Schaefer and Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa.
