2025 NHL Draft Sneak Peek: Hagens' Days Are On the Way

The sweet center looks very much like a No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL draft. But success hasn’t gone to James Hagens' head. He’s appreciating every step of his hockey journey.

When you speak with James Hagens, you find a young man who has not taken one step of his development for granted. From the Long Island Royals U-13 and U-14 squads to his time at Mount St. Charles Academy in Rhode Island to USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program, the super-gifted center gushes about all the good times and important lessons along the way.

Perhaps that’s why Hagens has consistently found himself playing against older competition. Kevin Reiter, the NTDP’s director of player personnel, still remembers Hagens’ summer combine two years ago. 

“He was such a competitor with the puck on his stick, and it was just how well he saw the ice,” Reiter said. “He attacks defenders, he plays with pace. He had a lot of traits we’re looking for.”

Though Hagens was officially part of the NTDP U-17s this season, he was called up to the U-18s and made the World Men's Under-18 squad alongside fellow underagers Cole Hutson and Cole Eiserman. With the NTDP U-18s, he put up 19 points in 16 games. Despite that success, he didn’t have any expectations heading into his first year with ‘The Program.’ 

“I was just excited to put on a USA jersey,” Hagens said. “I just wanted to come to the rink every day and work my hardest, put everything I have into every rep I did on and off the ice. My teammates are so great. It’s so fun being able to come to the rink and hang with these guys. I’ve had an awesome time.”

Hagens has seen the benefits of playing up a rung. Not only did he spend time on the wing flanking surefire 2023 first-rounder Oliver Moore, but he was able to immerse himself in the older culture of the U-18s, who have already gone through the often tough first NTDP season. 

“I’m so fortunate for this opportunity,” Hagens said. “Every practice, every time we step into the weight room, I try not to take it for granted. It’s basically a tryout whenever we step on the ice.”

The U-17s tend to have a modest record against their opponents, most of which are from the USHL, where players are as old as 20. But the NTDP’s vaunted strength-and-conditioning program puts the kids in the best position to succeed as they progress, and by the time they’re with the U-18s, they’re taking on top-notch NCAA schools such as Boston University and Michigan – and often winning. For Hagens, who was listed at 5-foot-10 and 165 pounds at the U-18 worlds, hanging with the older kids has been beneficial on and off the ice. 

“It’s invaluable experience,” Reiter said. “To be around those guys and how they work, it really instills what it takes on a daily basis. You can’t take a drill off, you can’t take a practice off, or those guys will embarrass you.

“For him and his body type, for what he needs, our leadership group pushes guys hard and holds them accountable, and that’s a big factor for him (in the gym).”

The son of two school teachers, Hagens grew up on Long Island, playing with his older brother, Michael, who currently plays against him in the USHL with the Chicago Steel. The family cheers for the New York Islanders, though Hagens was torn after the NHL trade deadline since one of his favorite players was with the other guys. 

“We’re not too big fans of the Rangers, but with Patty Kane coming in, I’ve planned on watching them more,” he said. “But we’re definitely Isles fans back home, the whole family.”

Keeping it Long Island, Hagens also loves to watch Mat Barzal, and he still likes the now-departed John Tavares.

Before he got to The Program, Hagens spent two years at Mount St. Charles and, again, they were formative times. 

“That was one of the big factors in my career and a huge part of making me the person I am today,” Hagens said. “Just learning how to balance school and hockey. And how to be a good teammate was really one of the biggest things I learned there.”

Now he’s already looking like a top pick for the 2025 NHL draft, possibly No. 1 like Kane and Tavares. There’s a long way to go, but Hagens has already picked up quite the education. 

This sneak peek into one of the 2026 NHL draft's prospects to watch was featured in The Hockey News' 2023 Draft Preview issue. Receive the edition for free with an annual subscription at THN.com/free.