On the same TD Garden ice he may soon call home, James Hagens delivered a performance that showed exactly why the Bruins used a top-10 pick on him. The Boston College sophomore didn’t just help the Eagles snap a decade-long Beanpot drought - he helped define it.
Hagens tallied two assists in BC’s 6-2 win over rival Boston University on Monday night, capping off a tournament that earned him 2026 Beanpot MVP honors. Over two games, he racked up two goals and five points - but it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out. It was how he played.
Yes, the offensive skillset has always been there. That was never in question. But what’s emerging now is a more complete version of Hagens - a player who’s learning to impact the game in all three zones, not just on the scoresheet.
“You get drafted that high for a reason,” BC head coach Greg Brown said. “But what we’ve really been impressed with is how he’s rounded out his game.”
That evolution has been noticeable throughout his sophomore season. Hagens leads the Eagles with 31 points in 24 games, often playing on the wing despite being projected long-term as a top-six center. And while his playmaking instincts remain elite - threading passes through traffic, creating space where there shouldn’t be any - what’s turning heads now is his responsibility without the puck.
Brown didn’t hesitate to use Hagens in key defensive situations against BU, even when protecting a lead. That kind of trust doesn’t come easy, especially for an offensively gifted player. But Hagens has earned it.
“He’s added so many dimensions of detail,” Brown said. “We want him out there against the other team’s top players now. Credit to him for working hard on that stuff.”
And he’s not doing it alone. The Bruins’ pipeline is well-represented on this BC squad, and Monday’s win was a showcase of that depth.
Senior captain Andre Gasseau - a 2021 seventh-round pick by Boston - scored twice and continues to be a do-it-all presence for the Eagles. Whether it’s on the power play, penalty kill, or taking key faceoffs, Gasseau is the steady hand every team needs.
“He brings everything to us,” Brown said. “He plays against top players, wins draws, controls the ice down low. There’s not anything he’s not doing for us.”
Then there’s Dean Letourneau, Boston’s 2024 first-rounder, who’s making a massive leap in his second collegiate season. After a quiet freshman year - just three points in 36 games - the 6-foot-7 forward has exploded for a team-leading 16 goals and 28 points through 26 games. His goal against BU was another reminder of how far he’s come, and how high his ceiling might be.
Letourneau’s size and improved offensive instincts make him one of the more intriguing prospects in the Bruins’ system. While his NHL timeline remains uncertain, his development is trending in the right direction.
As for Hagens, the wait might not be much longer. With BC’s season winding down over the next few weeks, there’s growing anticipation that he could join the Bruins as early as late March or April. If his Beanpot performance is any indication, he won’t be arriving just to get his feet wet - he’ll be ready to contribute.
And if that’s the case, Boston fans might want to get used to seeing Hagens on Causeway Street. He’s already making himself at home.