Bruins draft Boston College product James Hagens 7th overall

The Boston Bruins dipped into their own backyard to select Boston College center James Hagens with the seventh pick in the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday.

Comedian Adam Sandler announced the pick while in character as Happy Gilmore.

Hagens said afterward that "Happy Gilmore" is his favorite movie and it was unreal to hear Sandler call his name, according to NHL.com's Stefen Rosner.

Hagens racked up 39 goals and 102 points in 58 games with the USNTDP leading into his draft year. He starred for the Americans at the Under-18s in 2024, setting the tournament record with 22 points in just seven contests as the United States won silver.

That monster effort broke the American scoring mark of 20 points, set by Jack Hughes and Will Smith in 2019 and 2023, respectively, as well as the overall tournament record of 21 points that Nikita Kucherov set in 2011.

Hagens centered arguably the best line in the NCAA this season at Boston College. He was flanked by Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault, both of whom made their NHL debuts at season's end. Hagens' campaign was good, but his lack of goal-scoring was a concern, and he didn't hit the offensive heights that Adam Fantilli and Macklin Celebrini reached as NCAA freshmen.

What they're saying

"Hagens is the kind of player who's always in motion," Sportsnet's Jason Bukala wrote. "When he has the puck on his stick in transition, he attacks with purpose, and he's blessed with an abundance of creativity and offensive hockey sense."

"He has a dynamic combination of skating and skill reminiscent of American centers like Logan Cooley and Jack Hughes," wrote The Athletic's Corey Pronman. "Hagens' edge work is high-end, and he's extremely elusive in open ice."

"(Hagens) brings a good work rate with excellent speed and two-way ability that should see him effectively drive play at the NHL level," ESPN's Rachel Doerrie wrote.