What Bruins veteran shared with James Hagens after top prospect turned pro

Story by

Story by
What Bruins veteran shared with James Hagens after top prospect turned pro

Matt Vautour · MassLive

Wed, Mar 25, 2026 ·

2 min read

About Our Ads

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — Charlie McAvoy remembered what it felt like to be in James Hagens’ position.

In 2017, after McAvoy’s season and two-year career at Boston University ended, the Bruins ’ No. 1 pick in the 2016 draft turned pro and was assigned to the Providence Bruins in the AHL.

“I remember the guys reaching out to me. I remember talking to Torey Krug , who was one of the guys when I signed in Providence, and talking to him, and he had spent some time there,” said McAvoy, a Bruins alternate captain. “So I remember how much it meant to me. And I saw last night late that (Hagens) signed, and I just wanted to flip him a message to wish him all the best. And I told him hopefully we’ll see him soon.”

On Monday night, Hagens turned pro after two seasons at Boston College. On Tuesday, he practiced for the first time with his new AHL teammates. McAvoy’s gesture meant a lot.

“ Charlie McAvoy reached out and sent a really nice text. Him being a Long Island guy too,” Hagens said. “Being able to get that text from him meant a lot.”

In Providence, where Hagens is joining a first-place team, Hagens said his new teammates were especially welcoming.

“These guys have been so, so accepting of me coming in today,” he said. “The second I walked through those doors, they’re able to help me out on the ice just having little convos about what to expect. The drills out there. Where to go. What to do. It’s something that I’m super grateful for right now. It’s such a good group of guys in that locker room and to be around, it’s something that you just have to soak in.”

Providence coach Ryan Mougenel put Hagens on a practice line with captain Patrick Brown and Matej Blumel . In addition to sharing BC roots with Hagens, Brown is a defensively responsible center and willing to grind physically, which takes some initial responsibility off of Hagens.

“Brownie is a good guy for him to be around. He doesn’t shy away from the grind,” Mougenel said. “Sometimes when you play with Brownie he takes care of a lot of the other stuff.

“We put a lot of our young players with Brownie,” Mougenel said. “He’s a calming influence. We want (Hagens) to be comfortable.”

So far so good.

“He’s a great guy. He’s someone who when he’s talking you definitely listen,” Hagens said. “He’s a great captain.”

More Bruins content