The Boston Bruins held on to the seventh overall pick at the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday night. And they took one of the best players in the class, Boston College star James Hagens. However, pre-draft buzz indicated he could have ended up with the New York Islanders.
The Islanders traded Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens earlier in the day on Friday. In return, they received picks 16 and 17 in the 2025 NHL Draft. This could have allowed New York to trade up into the top-10 to pair Hagens — a Long Island native — with first-overall pick Matthew Schaefer.
This did not happen. New York took Schaefer at the top of the draft, as expected. However, they were unable to make a move up into the top-10. Hagens then went off the board at No. 7 to the Bruins.
Following the draft, Hagens spoke to the media. He was asked by Boston reporter Ty Anderson about the rumors of a potential trade to bring him to the Islanders. The Boston College star said he didn’t pay any mind to it, and he’s ecstatic to be a Bruin.
“I stay away from all that … I’m so grateful I’m not leaving the Boston area. I wanted to be at a spot that wanted me the most. I’m in a spot I wanted to be. I wanted to be a Boston Bruin,” Hagens told Anderson on Friday night.
James Hagens Talks Viral NHL Draft Moment
Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesJames Hagens entered the 2024-25 season as the favorite to go No. 1 in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The 2025 NHL Draft had a bit of an unusual flair on Friday night. Normally, all 32 front offices would have been on location at the draft. However, this year, general managers elected to go to a decentralized format.
This format received a ton of criticism for its awkward presentation and length. In saying this, it did produce some incredible moments. Hagens was at the center of one such moment when the Bruins drafted him on Friday night.
It was a special moment for those in attendance on Friday night. And it was even more special for Hagens watching it unfold in real time.
“It was just right away the coolest thing and then as he starts talking, you hope to hear that he’s gonna say Boston College and he ended up saying Boston College and I waited an extra second to hear my name, stood up, from there it was just nuts,” Hagens said, via NHL.com’s Amalie Benjamin.
What Bruins Saw in Hagens During Draft Process
Hagens saw his stock drop as the 2025 NHL Draft drew closer. The Boston College star did not live up to the lofty expectations around him entering the collegiate season. However, he does have the potential to be a franchise center. And Boston believes he can reach those heights in their organization.
“He’s excelled against his peer group at every opportunity he’s had,” general manager Don Sweeney said, via Benjamin. “His production at the [National Team Development] Program is amongst the best that’s ever played. There’s been some pretty special players that have gone through there. He went into college hockey, played on the top line. We believe in the player, what he’s done.”
The Bruins needed a top-line center in the worst way entering this draft. With Hagens, they believe they have found this player. And they hope he can make an impact in the NHL for a long time.
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