Bruins’ James Hagens to make NHL debut vs. Blue Jackets

With their playoff spot locked up, the Boston Bruins are giving their top prospect a closer look.

Forward James Hagens is set to make his NHL debut on Sunday when the Bruins square off against the Columbus Blue Jackets, head coach Marco Sturm told reporters before puck drop (Sportsnet, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT).

“It’s always very exciting when somebody [comes], especially like him, late [into the season], but also being a high pick,” Sturm said when asked about what it means for players like Hagens to get some run. “Guys are excited to have him here; he’s a good kid. He works really hard in practice.”

Hagens, who the Bruins selected seventh overall in 2025, signed a three-year entry-level contract earlier in the week, allowing him to suit up with the team for the stretch run of the season.

The 19-year-old will skate on a line alongside fellow youngsters Fraser Minten and Marat Khusnutdinov in order to pair him with guys in a similar age group.

“I think Mints and Khus are guys who will take care of him,” Sturm said. “It should be fun for him. And hopefully he’s gonna have a good one.”

Prior to signing his ELC, Hagens signed an AHL tryout agreement with Boston on March 24 and played six games with the Providence Bruins. He recorded one goal and three assists in that span.

Before signing his tryout, Hagens had 23 goals and 47 points in 34 games as a junior for Boston College.

The five-foot-11, 193‑pound forward was named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team after posting 37 points (11 goals, 26 assists) during the 2024-25 season. Across two years with Boston College (2024-26), the forward skated in 71 games, totalling 34 goals and 50 assists for 84 points.

Boston is currently locked into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference after the Detroit Red Wings were eliminated in Saturday’s action.