Bruins sign James Hagens to 3-year contract

The Boston Bruins have signed forward James Hagens to a three-year entry-level contract carrying an annual NHL cap hit of $975,000, the team announced Wednesday afternoon. The deal begins with the current 2025-26 season, leaving the 19-year-old with two remaining years on his contract after this campaign.

Selected seventh overall in the 2025 NHL Draft, Hagens recently transitioned to the professional level following his sophomore season at Boston College. He initially joined the Providence Bruins on an amateur tryout agreement on March 24, managing one goal and three assists for four points in six AHL appearances.

At the collegiate level, Hagens produced at an elite rate. The 5-foot-11, 193‑pound forward appeared in 34 games this season, recording 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) to lead Hockey East in scoring, while also producing six game-winning goals, two hat tricks, and 133 shots. Nationally, he ranked among the top 10 in goals, total points, and points per game. Over two seasons at Boston College, he accumulated 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) across 71 games. He was also named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team in 2024-25 after finishing with 37 points in 34 games.

Prior to college, Hagens garnered 187 points (72 goals, 115 assists) over two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program, ranking fifth in program history. Internationally, he captured gold medals at the 2025 World Junior Championship and 2023 U-18 World Championship, and set a U-18 single-tournament record with 22 points in 2024, earning MVP honors.

Hagens is expected to join Boston for practice at Warrior Ice Arena, with a potential NHL debut looming Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning at TD Garden. With only three regular-season games remaining and Boston holding a strong playoff position, the timing allows him limited regular-season action before postseason play.

The Bruins third-line left wing has lacked consistent production, with Lukas Reichel, Mikey Eyssimont, and Alex Steeves rotating through the role. Hagens, who has played both center and wing, is projected to begin on the wing, potentially alongside Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov, as the team evaluates his immediate impact at the highest professional level.