James Hagens might be the youngest of everyone at USA's World Junior Championship training camp, but his playmaking and tenacity makes him an intriguing option in a loaded forward corps.

PLYMOUTH, Mich. — He might be young, just turned 17 to be exact, and he might still be two years removed from his draft year, but the one who teammates call “Jimmy” and “Slim” is nonetheless here to claim his shot at USA’s 2024 World Junior Championship roster.

Despite his youth, James Hagens is heading into the U.S. training camp among the 16 forwards vying for a spot in the final lineup. And as one of the most hyped prospects of the 2025 class, the Boston College commit’s role is one of the more exciting questions to be determined this week at camp.

“This has been something I’ve been looking to be able to get a chance to make for my whole life now,” Hagens said Thursday. “So to be able to have that come into reality is really cool.”

The opportunity is well-earned. As a two-year skater on the National Team Development Program’s U18 team, Hagens has put up 20 goals and 56 points in 40 U18 games. Across the full swath of NTDP rosters, he has 178 points in 124 games. At every level he has played, Hagens has delivered as a playmaker and scorer. Such success earned him an invite to the World Junior Summer Showcase, where he played center on a Team Blue roster made mostly of players on the outside looking in. However, Hagens made the cut, with one more to make before he can ship off to Sweden with the American team.

The early shot at the national junior team might make it seem like Hagens needs to elevate his game, but his coaches want him to keep doing what’s brought him success so far.

“It's impressive what he's doing, and so he's got to come here and be himself,” USA coach David Carle said. “Attack, make plays, be able to move the puck to the middle of the rink, pressure pucks … all the things that he does. Just like any player, they need to come here and show who they are for an opportunity.”

While Hagens’ opportunity might be rare at such a young age, it isn’t an anomaly. Last year, forward Will Smith made the preliminary roster before being cut because illness removed him from camp. Goaltender Trey Augustine, from the same U18 team, made the roster out of December’s training camp and became the starting goaltender. Positional differences aside, Team USA has shown it isn’t afraid to invest in a young player with the ability to make its team. Hagens wants to prove he’s the type it needs.

Right now, the majority of those looks appear to be on the wing, where Hagens skated in Thursday’s opening practice. While Hagens might’ve played center over the summer, this year’s group looks to be deep with Cutter Gauthier, Frank Nazar III, Oliver Moore and Smith all on the roster, in addition to others who can play center. But, with Gauthier’s exact position up in the air considering his talent on the wing, Hagens might find himself playing center too. Versatility goes a long way toward making one of these World Junior teams, and that’s a strength that suits Hagens.

“I love both positions,” Hagens said. “I really feel like I’d be able to play anywhere, so if the coach needs me to play defense, I’ll try my hardest to play defense as well.”

Realistically, Carle doesn’t need him to, but the sentiment shows how much Hagens wants to make this team. Even if he’s younger, even if he’s got plenty of opportunities ahead of him — he wants this one. It’s no surprise that Carle wants to give him every chance to earn it, considering that buy-in.

“I want to show that I'll do anything to be able to help the team win,” Hagens said. “Just trying to show that every day.”

There are also personal advantages for Hagens regardless of his spot on the team. For one, he gets instruction on exactly what it will take for him to make any teams in the future — ones he’ll probably play a marquis role in. He also gets a chance to practice with the top players a year or two older than him, including the seven Boston College players who he’ll potentially share a campus with a year from now.

“I love it,” Hagens said. “Just being able to talk to those guys and know that you’re gonna be in school with some of them next year. It’s nice to be able to pick their brains and ask them questions about the school, ask them questions about classes and stuff. That’s something that’s really cool. I’m glad that I’m able to have those guys here.”

As much as consulting the Eagles is an advantage for Hagens, his abilities are also an advantage for the Americans. With his playmaking and his tenacity, Hagens provides even more firepower for a deep forward corps. And as camp continues through Saturday, he’ll have every opportunity to prove he belongs on the final roster.

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