- James Hagens opened Bruins Rookie Camp on Friday at Warrior Ice Arena
- The 19-year-old stayed in Boston all summer and calls it the best he has felt off the ice
- Read below for Hagens on the shortened camp, the Buffalo showcase and Fraser Minten’s payday
James Hagens is not treating this weekend like a warmup.
Boston’s 2025 first-round pick opened Rookie Camp on Friday at Warrior Ice Arena, and when the 19-year-old was asked about the roster fight waiting once training camp opens Sept. 16, he did not dance around it.
“A big thing is the more you play, confidence will come. Just being able to feel trusted out there, though. Everybody is back. You just hope you can make the team now.”
Watch Hagens meet the media after Friday’s skate:
Rather than head home this summer, Hagens trained in Boston. He told Belle Fraser of BostonBruins.com that the decision paid off.
“I honestly think this is the best I’ve felt off the ice my whole career playing. Being able to stay here over the summer helped me a lot. It’s being around the players, being around the staff and trainers – you really have to soak everything in.”
Camp runs shorter than usual this year, and Hagens knows what that means for a teenager trying to stick.
“[Training camp] is going to be tough, and it’s shortened this year, so less time to make an impression.”
Hagens went seventh overall in 2025, Boston’s first top-10 pick since Dougie Hamilton in 2011. He signed his three-year entry-level deal in April after leaving Boston College, put up four points in six games with Providence, then dressed for two regular season games and three playoff games with the Bruins.
Providence head coach Trent Whitfield was asked what he needs to see from Hagens this month.
“I am real excited about [Hagens’] potential. He obviously has that high offensive acumen that you love to see in a player. Now he’s just going to have to get that physicality in his game a little more consistently.”
The two showcase games against Buffalo’s prospects go Sunday at 5 p.m. and Monday at noon.
NHL.com’s Bruins season preview projects Hagens on the third line with Casey Mittelstadt and Fraser Minten, on the wing to start. Marco Sturm said last month that Hagens has to earn the job first.
Minten signed his seven-year, $50.4 million extension on Monday with Hagens sitting right next to him. Dinner that night was on Minten.
