James Hagens records assist and win in Bruins debut: 'Super cool'

Mikey Eyssimont also made the competition for playoff lineup spots interesting with his work on the second line.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 2:07am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with players and the puck broken down into overlapping, angular shapes in a vibrant color palette of blues, reds, and yellows, capturing the dynamic energy of the sport.The Bruins' young stars shine in a hard-fought victory, showcasing the team's depth and future potential.Columbus Today

In his NHL debut, 19-year-old James Hagens recorded an assist as the Boston Bruins defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2. Hagens played well on the forecheck and was patient with the puck, setting up a goal by Henri Jokiharju. Meanwhile, Mikey Eyssimont also impressed on the second line, making a case for a spot in the Bruins' playoff lineup.

Why it matters

The Bruins' win over the Blue Jackets kept Columbus' playoff hopes at bay, while also providing an opportunity for young players like Hagens and Eyssimont to showcase their skills and compete for roster spots ahead of the postseason. The performance of these prospects could have a significant impact on the Bruins' lineup decisions as they prepare for the playoffs.

The details

Hagens, the Bruins' 7th overall pick in 2025, played 13:08 on the third line with Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov. He recorded an assist on Jokiharju's goal and was praised by coach Marco Sturm for his patience, decision-making, and use of speed. Eyssimont, playing on the second line with Lukas Reichel and Casey Mittelstadt, also had a strong game with two shots and four other attempts in 10:35 of ice time.

  • On Sunday, late in the second period of the Boston Bruins' 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
  • The Bruins entered Sunday's game against the Blue Jackets without a win in their five previous games.
  • The Bruins had qualified for the playoffs following the Detroit Red Wings' loss to the New Jersey Devils on Saturday.

The players

James Hagens

A 19-year-old forward and the Bruins' 7th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, who made his NHL debut in the win over the Blue Jackets.

Mikey Eyssimont

A forward who played on the Bruins' second line and made a strong case for a spot in the Bruins' playoff lineup with his performance.

Marco Sturm

The head coach of the Boston Bruins, who praised the performances of Hagens and Eyssimont in the win over the Blue Jackets.

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What they’re saying

“'He's got two or three guys on him. Good players like that, they're just patient. He's not doing anything with the puck until there's someone there. He was telling me after that I was screaming right in his ear just to knock it my way. He's just patient. He just stood over the puck. It's a good lesson for all of us from a kid, I guess.'”

— Sean Kuraly, Center

“'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. I just kicked it over to him.'”

— James Hagens

“'It was super cool. Really cool building to be able to get that win. It was special. Maybe stay out of the box. But it was a really cool game.'”

— James Hagens

“'I thought he was good. I thought the whole line was great. They used their speed. They were not afraid to make plays. They made a lot of good decisions. They never really got in trouble. Coming in here in Columbus, it's a tough building. I was curious for James too, how he was going to handle it. He did a good job.'”

— Marco Sturm, Head Coach

“'He was really strong on pucks. He moved his feet. Casey in the middle, I thought he was great. He used his wingers pretty good, especially in the second period where Lukas and Mikey had some good opportunities. I liked all four lines. They brought something to the table. I really liked Mikey's game too.'”

— Marco Sturm, Head Coach

What’s next

The Bruins will play their regular-season finale against the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, which could be an opportunity for coach Sturm to make a final evaluation on Hagens and Eyssimont and their chances of making the playoff roster.

The takeaway

The performances of young players like Hagens and Eyssimont in the Bruins' win over the Blue Jackets have added an extra layer of competition and excitement to the team's preparations for the playoffs. Their ability to step up and contribute at the NHL level could prove crucial as the Bruins look to make a deep postseason run.