James Hagens Explained

James Hagens
Birth Date:3 November 2006
Birth Place:Hauppauge, New York, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:10
Weight Lb:168
Position:Center
Shoots:Left
League:USHL
Team:U.S. National Development Team
Draft:Eligible 2025

James Hagens (born November 3, 2006) is an American junior ice hockey player for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP). He is considered a top prospect eligible for the 2025 NHL entry draft.

Playing career

Hagens played for the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (NTDP) during the 2022–23 season, where he ranked second on the team in scoring with 26 goals and 40 assists in 43 games with the under-17 team. He also recorded seven goals and 12 assists in 17 games with the under-18 team.[1] He competed at the 2024 BioSteel All-American Game where he recorded a goal and an assist and was subsequently named the game's MVP.[2] [3] During the 2023–24 season, he recorded 18 goals and 29 assists in 26 games for the NTDP in the United States Hockey League (USHL).[4]

Hagens is committed to play college ice hockey for Boston College during the 2024–25 season.[5] [6]

International play

Hagens represented the United States at the 2022 World U-17 Hockey Challenge where he recorded eight goals and 13 assists in seven games and won a gold medal. His 21 points set a World U-17 Hockey Challenge record, surpassing the previous record of 18 points set by Colin White in 2014.[7] [8]

He represented the United States at the 2023 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he recorded one goal and four assists in seven games and won a gold medal.[9] [10]

He was named to USA Hockey's selection camp roster for the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he was the youngest of 29 players invited. [11] He was one of the final players cut from the roster.[12]

He again represented the United States at the 2024 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he led the tournament in scoring with nine goals and 13 assists in seven games and won a silver medal. He was subsequently named tournament MVP, and was also named to the media all-star team and was named best forward by the IIHF Directorate.[13] His 22 points set a IIHF World U18 Championship record, surpassing the previous record of 21 points set by Nikita Kucherov in 2011.[14]

Personal life

Hagens' brother, Michael, is also an ice hockey player committed to play at Boston College.[15]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular seasonPlayoffs
SeasonTeamLeagueGPGAPtsPIMGPGAPtsPIM
2022–23U.S. National Development TeamUSHL3117234024
2023–24U.S. National Development TeamUSHL2618294720
USHL totals5735528744

International

YearTeamEventResultGPGAPtsPIM
2022United StatesU177813218
2023United StatesU187145 0
2024United StatesU187913224
Junior totals 2118304812

Awards and honors

HonorsYear
International
IIHF World U18 Championship Best Forward2024
IIHF World U18 Championship Most Valuable Player2024
IIHF World U18 Championship Media All-Star Team2024

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Hagens impressing as youngest U.S. player at World Junior Summer Showcase . NHL.com . Adam . Kimelman . August 2, 2023 . January 16, 2024.
  2. Web site: John Mustard OT Tally Lifts Team White to 5-4 Win in 2024 Chipotle All-American Game . usahockeyallamericangame.com . January 15, 2024 . January 16, 2024.
  3. Web site: 5 things learned at 2024 USA Hockey All-American Game . NHL.com . Mike G. . Morreale . January 15, 2024 . January 16, 2024.
  4. Web site: Eiserman, Hagens highlight Team USA roster at men's U18se . TSN.ca . April 24, 2024 . April 24, 2024.
  5. Web site: James Hagens commits to Boston College, and other college recruiting news . hockeyjournal.com . Evan . Marinofsky . September 21, 2023 . January 16, 2024.
  6. Web site: James Hagens, potential No. 1 pick in 2025 NHL Draft, commits to Boston College . . Corey . Pronman . September 20, 2023 . January 16, 2024.
  7. Web site: Hagens And Eiserman Dazzle As Unbeaten USA Powers To World U-17 Gold . . Carol . Schram . November 13, 2022 . January 16, 2024.
  8. Web site: U17s Take First Place After 11-3 Win in Championship Game Against Canada Red . usahockeyntdp.com . November 13, 2022 . January 16, 2024.
  9. Web site: Team USA Captures Gold Medal at U18 Men’s World Championship 30. teamusa.usahockey.com . April 30, 2023 . July 7, 2022.
  10. Web site: Hagens, 17, driven to make U.S. roster for 2024 World Junior Championship . Mike G. . Morreale . NHL.com . December 15, 2023 . January 16, 2024.
  11. Web site: Youngest among USA World Junior camp invitees, James Hagens wants to earn his spot . . Connor . Earegood . December 16, 2023 . January 16, 2024.
  12. Web site: 2024 World Juniors Biggest Snubs: Andrew Cristall, James Hagens Among Omitted Players . . Tony . Ferrari . December 19, 2023 . January 16, 2024.
  13. Web site: Hagens named tournament MVP . Chris . Jurewicz . IIHF.com . May 5, 2024 . May 5, 2024.
  14. Web site: U.S goes for gold, Hagens sets record . Lucas . Aykroyd . IIHF.com . May 4, 2024 . May 5, 2024.
  15. Web site: Why Top Recruits, Brothers James And Michael Hagens Chose Boston College . Ryan . Sikes . flohockey.tv . October 9, 2023 . January 16, 2024.