Men's Ice Hockey | 4/13/2026 8:17:37 AM

United States Hockey League (USHL) alumnus James Hagens made his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins, recording an assist in his first game.

“Just trying to get in hard on the forecheck, finish your hit, make sure to stall the guy. Then heard someone talking in my ear,” Hagens said with a smile. “I just kicked it over to him.”

Prior to his call-up, the Hauppauge, N.Y. native spent the 2025-26 season at Boston College, where he totaled 47 points with 23 goals and 24 assists in 34 games, and six games for the Providence Bruins in the American Hockey League (AHL) where he had a goal and three helpers. He finished his NCAA career as more than a point-per-game player with 34 goals, 50 assists and a +31 rating in 71 games for the Eagles.

Before his collegiate career, Hagens developed with the NTDP in the USHL. During the 2023-24 season, he recorded 18 goals and 29 assists in 26 USHL games, showcasing his high-end skill and offensive ability against top junior competition. He had 17 goals and 23 assists in 31 USHL games during his U17 year. 

On the international stage, Hagens has represented the United States at multiple events, including the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship where he helped lead the U.S. to victory. 

Hagens’ NHL debut adds to the growing list of USHL alumni making an impact at the highest level of the sport.

About the USHL

The United States Hockey League (USHL) and its 16 teams are committed to being the world's leading junior hockey league. This season, more than 50% of NCAA Division I men's hockey players and nearly 25% of NHL players have USHL experience. The USHL has developed more than 285 direct NHL Draft picks since 2020, and nine of the last 10 Hobey Baker Award winners, including Macklin Celebrini (Chicago Steel).

Elevated through the recently announced Declaration of Excellence with the NHL and USA Hockey, the league's player-first approach, including a 2:1 practice-to-game ratio and a schedule with 90% of games played on weekends, provides its players with the optimal environment for athletic and personal growth, creating pathways for the next generation of stars like Auston Matthews (NTDP), Kyle Connor (Youngstown Phantoms), Jeremy Swayman (Sioux Falls Stampede), and Johnny Gaudreau (Dubuque Fighting Saints).