James Hagens practiced with Providence of the American Hockey League on Tuesday after the Boston Bruins prospect signed an American Hockey League amateur tryout agreement.
The 19-year-old forward was the No. 7 pick by Boston at 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 said. "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 expected to play for Providence against Springfield on Wednesday.
"Once I heard that, I was really open for it," he said about playing in the AHL. "It's a great chance to be able to showcase your game, to be able to be a part of a team like this."
Hagens led Hockey East in scoring this season with 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 34 games for Boston College. He also led the team with six game-winning goals, two hat tricks and 133 shots on goal.
He was named to the conference's All-Rookie Team last season after he had 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists). Hagens has 84 points (34 goals, 50 assists) in 71 games for Boston College over two seasons.
Hagens also played two seasons (2022-24) with the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), where he had 187 points (72 goals, 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 general manager Don Sweeney said of why Providence is the right 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 Hagens will need to play a minimum number of AHL games before moving up to the NHL, Sweeney said, “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 native of Hauppauge, New York, Hagens has represented the U.S. twice at IIHF World Junior Championship (2025, 2026) and the U-18 World Championship (2023, 2024). Hagens won gold at the 2025 WJC and the 2023 U-18 tournament. He holds the U-18 men's World Championship single tournament scoring record with 22 points in 2024, earning tournament MVP honors and helping the United States take home the silver medal.
"His production is still really good," Sweeney said. "He's played a lot more on the wing, which could be an easier entry point for a young player in the National Hockey League. That, again, remains 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 said he's heard from Bruins players, including defenseman Charlie McAvoy.
"He sent a really nice text; him being a Long Island guy (Long Beach, New York) is something that was really cool," Hagens said.
