The Boston Bruins have some exciting news on this Wednesday, as they have inked a top prospect. Today it was announced forward and Boston College product James Hagens signs his entry-level contract. This is big news for one of the bigger names from his 2025 NHL Entry Draft class. Let’s dig in to the details.
Credit Image: © Alie Skowronski/Miami Herald via ZUMA Press Wire
Bruins Prospect James Hagens Signs ELC
The details are that the Bruins general manager Don Sweeney signed Hagens to a three-year ELC, beginning right now. Therefore, it will essentially burn a year of his contract. The average annual value of the contract is locked in at $975,000.
Making it official 🖊️ pic.twitter.com/0pMto1xW2k
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) April 8, 2026
Hagens was the Bruins top pick from the 2025 draft, selected seventh overall. There was a time where it was thought he might challenge Matthew Schaefer and others as the number-one overall selection. One of his major come-ups was his play for Team USA at the under-18 World Championships. That team included a couple of big name prospects in their own right, a pair of Coles, Cole Eiserman and Cole Hutson.
Moreover, Hagens absolutely tore up that tournament. In seven games, he had nine goals and 13 assists for 22 points. He helped USA win the silver that year, to go along with the gold he had been apart of from the previous year’s tournament. Twice he represented Team USA at the World Junior Championships, capturing the gold in 2025 and being named a top-three player on his team in this year’s tournament. Furthermore, he even had a strong season at BC this year. He recorded 23 goals and 24 assists for 47 points in 34 games. That was enough to allow him to make the leap to the pros.
On March 24th, he had already signed an amateur tryout agreement (ATO). Since that time, he has done well with Boston’s AHL affiliate in Providence. He recorded four points in his first six games as a professional. Therefore, this means that he has impressed the Bruins organization enough to earn the call up the big leagues.
What’s the Word on Hagens
There had been concerns during Hagens development. But his play this year seems to have shown his commitment as a professional and him as being a complete player. There is still likely some growing pains, but his potential as a skilled offensive NHLer is there. The fact that the Bruins have called him up in the midst of a Stanley Cup Playoff run is a huge boost of support. Boston has established themselves as the top Eastern Conference Wild Card team. Even though it is unknown how big a role Hagens will play in Boston, if he gets into the lineup, the stakes couldn’t be any higher. This will prove to be a great test for the young player, to see if he can be a true professional.
Main Photo Credit: Nick Wosika-Imagn Images
