Bruins sign James Hagens: Top prospect leaves BC to turn pro

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Bruins sign James Hagens: Top prospect leaves BC to turn pro

Matt Vautour · MassLive

Tue, Mar 24, 2026 ·

2 min read

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James Hagens will begin his professional career in the AHL.

Three days after his college career ended in the Hockey East Tournament at TD Garden on Friday, the Bruins announced that Hagens had signed an amateur tryout agreement with the Providence Bruins and will begin practicing with Boston 's AHL affiliate on Tuesday.

The signing ends the Boston College star's collegiate career.

"We're very excited to have James join the Bruins organization and take this next step," said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney. "James is an important part of our future, and this is a great opportunity for him to get immediate experience at the professional level in Providence and continue his development, while keeping all options open."

Playing at Providence does not burn a year of Hagens' entry-level contract. The team did not announce that he'd signed his ELC.

Sweeney will meet with the media before Tuesday's Boston Bruins game against Toronto .

Starting Hagens in the AHL, gives the 5-foot-11 forward a chance to adapt to playing against professionals. The Providence Bruins are at Springfield on Wednesday and at home on Saturday and Sunday.

When Hagens returned to Boston College for the 2025-26 season after the Bruins selected him seventh overall in the NHL draft, both sides hoped he'd grow his game.

Dominating in Hockey East would show he was ready to be a pro. Eight months later he led the league in both goals (23) and points (47) in 34 games and is a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's national player of the year.

After Friday's loss, Boston College coach Greg Brown praised Hagens' development over his time with the Eagles.

"He has so many more dimensions to his game. The defensive side of the puck, the detail," Brown said. "He could always carry a puck. He has incredible offensive ideas, vision. You can see the ideas popping out of his head as he's carrying the puck through the neutral zone. That part was always there.

"He's added to his offensive game, but he's really added to his complete game," Brown continued. "He's not just a talent, he's a student of the game. It's great to see his growth in so many areas."

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