Bruins Sign Boston College Star to 3-Year Deal

James Hagens, the reigning Beanpot MVP, joins the NHL team.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 12:00am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game broken down into overlapping planes of black, white, and blue, conceptually representing the Bruins' acquisition of a promising young player from the local college ranks.The Bruins' signing of Boston College star James Hagens signals their focus on cultivating local hockey talent.Boston Today

The Boston Bruins have signed former Boston College forward James Hagens to a three-year contract with an annual salary cap hit of $975,000. Hagens was the most valuable player of the 2026 Beanpot tournament, a prestigious annual college hockey competition in Boston.

Why it matters

The Beanpot is a highly competitive tournament that showcases some of the top college hockey talent in the Northeast. Signing a recent Beanpot MVP like Hagens is a coup for the Bruins, as they look to bolster their roster with promising young players from the local college ranks.

The details

Hagens, 22, just completed his senior season at Boston College, where he led the team in goals and points. His strong performance in the Beanpot tournament, which features the four major college hockey programs in the Boston area, earned him the MVP award.

  • Hagens signed his 3-year contract with the Bruins on April 9, 2026.
  • He was named Beanpot MVP in February 2026.

The players

James Hagens

A 22-year-old forward who just completed his senior season at Boston College, where he was the reigning Beanpot MVP.

Boston Bruins

The NHL hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts that has signed James Hagens to a 3-year contract.

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What they’re saying

“James is an exciting young talent who has proven himself at the college level. We're thrilled to add him to our organization and look forward to seeing him develop at the professional level.”

— Don Sweeney, General Manager, Boston Bruins

What’s next

Hagens is expected to join the Bruins' minor league affiliate, the Providence Bruins, to start his professional career.

The takeaway

The Bruins' signing of the Beanpot MVP James Hagens demonstrates their commitment to developing local college talent and building a strong pipeline of young players to complement their NHL roster.