Bruins sign Boston College forward and Beanpot star James Hagens to 3-year deal

The 19-year-old Hagens was the seventh overall pick in last year's draft and led Hockey East with 23 goals and 47 points as a sophomore.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey player in mid-action, with their body and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of navy, green, and red, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Bruins' acquisition of college star James Hagens could provide a much-needed boost to their playoff push through his dynamic, multi-dimensional play.Boston Today

The Boston Bruins have signed former Boston College forward and reigning Beanpot MVP James Hagens to a three-year deal with an annual cap hit of $975,000. Hagens, who was the seventh overall pick in last year's draft, led Hockey East with 23 goals and 47 points as a sophomore this season and was named the MVP of the Beanpot tournament after scoring two goals and adding three assists to help BC claim the title for the first time in a decade. Hagens is expected to join the Bruins immediately and could make his NHL debut on Saturday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Why it matters

The Bruins are in the midst of a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference, and the addition of Hagens, a highly touted prospect, could provide a boost to their offense as they look to secure a postseason berth. Hagens' success at the college level and in international tournaments suggests he has the potential to be an impact player at the NHL level.

The details

Hagens, 19, was the seventh overall pick in last year's NHL draft. This season, he led Hockey East with 23 goals and 47 points as a sophomore at Boston College. He was also named the MVP of the Beanpot tournament after scoring two goals and adding three assists to help BC win the coveted title for the first time in a decade. Hagens has also had success on the international stage, winning a gold medal at the 2025 World Junior Championships and being named MVP of the under-18 world championships in 2024 when he set the single-tournament scoring record with 22 points.

  • Hagens signed a three-year deal with the Bruins on April 8, 2026.
  • Hagens is expected to join the Bruins immediately and could make his NHL debut on Saturday, April 12, 2026 against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The players

James Hagens

A 19-year-old forward who was the seventh overall pick in last year's NHL draft. He led Hockey East with 23 goals and 47 points as a sophomore at Boston College this season and was named the MVP of the Beanpot tournament.

Boston Bruins

An NHL team based in Boston, Massachusetts that is currently in the midst of a tight playoff race in the Eastern Conference.

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What’s next

The Bruins will look to Hagens to provide an offensive boost as they try to secure a playoff berth in their final three games of the regular season.

The takeaway

The addition of the highly touted prospect James Hagens could be a game-changer for the Bruins as they make a push for the playoffs. Hagens' success at the college and international levels suggests he has the potential to be an impact player at the NHL level, and his arrival could provide a much-needed spark for the Bruins' offense.