- James Hagens scored his first NHL goal Friday in Winnipeg
- The Bruins rookie beat Stuart Skinner for a 2-1 lead
- Read below and watch the video of Hagens’ first goal
James Hagens finally has one.
The Bruins rookie scored his first career NHL goal Friday night against the Jets, beating Stuart Skinner with a wrist shot at 15:20 of the first period to put Boston up 2-1 at Canada Life Centre.
Check out the video of Hagens’ first NHL goal:
Nikita Zadorov and Mark Kastelic picked up the assists. Kastelic had already spent five minutes in the box after dropping the gloves with Jets rookie Tyrel Bauer earlier in the period, then came back out and helped set up the 19-year-old’s milestone.
It was the only shot Hagens had in the first period, and it went in.
Boston took the Hauppauge, New York native seventh overall in 2025. He spent last season at Boston College, putting up 23 goals and 47 points in 34 games, then got a quick look in the NHL with two regular-season games and three more in the playoffs. His only point in that stretch was an assist in his debut against Columbus back in April.
Bruins head coach Marco Sturm made it clear in August that Hagens would have to earn a bigger role before he got one. Hagens played 13:27 in Boston’s 3-0 opening-night win over the Rangers and now has a goal to show for his second game of the season.
Winnipeg had a rookie milestone of its own going on in the same game. Viggo Björck, the eighth overall pick in the 2026 draft, made his NHL debut for the Jets:
Dylan DeMelo opened the scoring for Winnipeg before Hampus Lindholm tied it for Boston. Hagens then put the Bruins in front, and Boston carried that 2-1 lead into the first intermission.
