James Hagens is walking into Bruins rookie camp with a real shot to turn heads fast.
When Boston’s prospects face Buffalo’s on Sunday at 5 p.m. in the first of two games, Hagens is the name most people will be tracking. Among all the rookies in the mini-tournament, he looks like the one with the clearest path to NHL games this season.
That possibility didn’t happen by accident, either. Hagens spent the entire summer at Warrior, working out alongside Bruins personnel and putting in the kind of preparation that can separate a hopeful from a legitimate contender.
“I honestly feel that this is the best I’ve felt off the ice in my whole career playing,” said Hagens. “Being able to stay here over the summer has helped me a lot. It’s being around the players, being around the staff and trainers, you just have to soak everything that tell you.”
He pointed to the strength staff, the training staff and the skills coaches as key parts of his summer. Now the focus shifts to the ice, where he wants reps, trust and momentum.
“The more you play, the confidence will come,” said Hagens. “Just being able to feel trusted out there (is important).
You want to be able to go out there and I know these guys all have my back and you have to work towards all of them knowing you have their back as well. It’s going to be really exciting.
These are exciting times, everybody’s back. You just hope you can make the team.”
Hagens has already seen how quickly hard work can get rewarded. Fraser Minten, after a strong rookie season, earned a seven-year contract worth $7.2 million annually from the Bruins. With the NHL’s new pay schedule, Hagens could be in line for something similar a year from now if the 2025 7th overall pick lives up to expectations.
He and Minten have built a connection in the short time they’ve known each other, and Hagens clearly admires the way Minten handled his rise.
“I was with (Minten) that day (he signed). I was super happy for him.
It’s a lot of money. He’s worked so hard and the time that I’ve been able to spend with him and get to know him, it’s been really special.
I’ve been very fortunate. He’s a role model for me.
He’s someone who is awesome to be around. He’s very deserving of everything he’s gotten and accomplished,” said Hagens.
“The reason he was able to get paid all that money is because he deserved it. He’s worked so hard for it.
Your work doesn’t go unnoticed and his didn’t. You try to put your head down, show up every day and try to work your hardest.”
Boston and Buffalo will meet again Monday at noon in the second game of the set. Both games will be streamed on BostonBruins.com.
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