By Ashley Pavlakis
Photo credit – USA Hockey’s NTDP Rena Laverty
The National Hockey League (NHL) draft is a dream for any young man growing up playing hockey. Long Island has the opportunity to showcase one of their own in the 2025 draft. James Hagens (pictured below), a native of Hauppauge, is a highly touted prospect who is projected to go first overall in the draft.
“He’s a fun kid to coach because he just loves the game, and that’s a big piece to it. He enjoys being on the ice and enjoys coming to the rink every day,” said Nick Fohr, the head coach for the u17 United States National Development Team Program. “He’s a kid who’s out there trying to get better all the time, he’s engaged in the process. For James, he was a joy for me to coach because I always knew what I was going to get out of him.”
The 5’10” centerman played youth hockey for the Long Island Royals before eventually going the prep school route at Mount St. Charles Academy. Hagens is seen as a prolific scorer with a versatile style of play. In 2023, Hagens committed to Boston College and will suit up for the Eagles as a freshman this upcoming season. Hagens’ older brother Michael is also a member of the Eagles, the two will become the nineteenth pair of brothers to play for the same collegiate team.
The Boston College Eagles is a storied program, with 25 players going in the first round of the NHL draft. 13 players went on to win a Stanley Cup in the NHL after wearing the BC crest, 7 were lucky enough to lift the coveted 34lb trophy twice in their careers.
“It’s a holistic picture, we have our part in it here with the national team development program. It’s such a big thing that the game has grown so much in the United States, especially in those areas down south,” said Fohr. “The volunteers and the youth hockey coaches have done a good job at developing kids, teaching them the game, and to love the game. It’s really expanded our player pool and given us more players that have an opportunity to make it to that top level eventually.”
The United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP), based in Michigan, is a program dedicated to focusing on the development of skills and experience. Hagens spent time in both their u17 and u18 programs. The program had led to 396 players getting drafted as well as five going first overall. Hagens has the chance to become the 6th player from the program to go first overall when the draft takes place in June.
“He will be a high pick in the NHL draft and whoever gets him is going to be happy that they have him. They’re going to be excited because they’re going to get a really well-rounded two-way hockey player with high-end offensive abilities. Those are fun guys to coach and they’re big pieces to teams’ successes,” said Fohr.
