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Adam Sandler's NHL Draft Cameo Leaves Bruins Pick Overjoyed

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rexwell Villas | Last updated Jun 27, 2025 11:56 PM ET

Although not exactly a hockey movie, "Happy Gilmore" has become a staple of sports pop culture because of its eponymous protagonist played by Adam Sandler.

In the movie, Gilmore, who has failed in his dream to have a career in hockey, is always seen wearing a Boston Bruins jersey even while playing golf. That has resonated with hockey fans in real life, particularly with Bruins supporters.

During Friday night's 2025 NHL draft in Los Angeles, Sandler, wearing a Bruins jersey, made a surprising pre-recorded video appearance as “Happy Gilmore” to announce Boston's pick at the No. 7 spot in the first round.

“My name is Happy Gilmore. How are you?” Sandler began in the pre-recorded video. “Proud to be part of the 2025 NHL Draft. The Boston Bruins select from Boston College, James Hagens. Way to go, homie!”

Happy Gilmore makes the pick! ️

Adam Sandler and the @NHLBruins select James Hagens!

: 2025 Upper Deck #NHLDraft on @espn, @ESPNPlus, @Sportsnet and @TVASports pic.twitter.com/gatNf2Q3m2
— NHL (@NHL) June 28, 2025

The 18-year-old Hagens certainly liked the Bruins' move to enlist the help of Sandler to announce the selection.

"I'm so excited. I'm so excited to be back in Boston and to have Adam Sandler make the pick, it was special," Hagens said after (h/t NHL.com staff writer Anna Kulesa).

Hagens played 37 games for the Boston College Eagles during his freshman season in the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 11 goals and dishing out 26 assists for 37 points.

Viewed as a future top-line center in the NHL, Hagens' debut for the Bruins will be highly anticipated by their fans, who are eager to see Boston become a legitimate Stanley Cup contender again after the team went just 33-39-10 to miss the NHL playoffs in the 2024-25 season.

The Bruins still have work to do in the draft this coming Saturday, as they have six more picks lined up heading into the final day of the event.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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