### Hauppauge Native James Hagens Selected 7th Overall in 2025 NHL Draft James Hagens, a promising young forward from Hauppauge, New York, was chosen as the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft by the Boston Bruins. This selection not only marks the beginning of Hagens' professional career but also highlights his journey from a local talent to a significant player in the NHL. Hagens, who played for Boston College, had an impressive season, recording 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games, showcasing his potential as a future star in the league [https://www.longislandpress.com/2025/07/02/hauppauge-nhl-draft][https://www.nhl.com/bruins/news/bruins-select-james-hagens-7th-overall-in-2025-nhl-entry-draft]. ### Breakdown of the Draft and Hagens' Impact 1. **Draft Overview**: The 2025 NHL Draft saw the Boston Bruins selecting seven players, with Hagens being the highlight as the seventh pick. His selection was seen as a strategic move to enhance the team's prospect pipeline [https://nesn.com/2025/06/bruins-add-promising-prospects-in-2025-nhl-draft-roundup][https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2025/06/28/boston-bruins-2025-nhl-draft-james-hagens-william-moore-don-sweeney-hockey]. 2. **Hagens' Background**: Growing up in Hauppauge, Hagens was a local favorite and had been anticipated to be a top pick. His performance at Boston College solidified his reputation, although he was initially projected to go higher in the draft [https://nypost.com/2025/06/27/sports/james-hagens-is-2025-nhl-drafts-wild-card-with-islanders-a-possibility][https://sports.yahoo.com/article/bruins-fans-know-2025-first-202751050.html]. 3. **Fan Reactions**: The selection of Hagens by the Bruins was met with mixed emotions, particularly among New York Islanders fans who had hoped to see him play for their team. Hagens expressed his happiness about being drafted by the Bruins, especially with the notable announcement by actor Adam Sandler during the draft [https://apnews.com/article/nhl-draft-notebook-hagens-48f4ceb0c330063a7163b66d11a105b2][https://sports.yahoo.com/article/nhl-draft-boston-bruins-steal-020711457.html]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Hagens' Performance Stats**: - **Games Played**: 37 - **Goals**: 11 - **Assists**: 26 - **Total Points**: 37 - **Draft Context**: Hagens was considered a potential first overall pick at one point but slipped to seventh due to a less-than-expected performance in the NCAA [https://yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/bruins_may_have_gotten_steal_of_the_draft_with_no_7_pick/s1_14825_42385816]. ### Conclusion: A Bright Future for Hagens and the Bruins In summary, **James Hagens' selection as the seventh overall pick by the Boston Bruins represents a significant milestone in his career and a strategic move for the team**. 1. **Local Talent**: Hagens' journey from Hauppauge to the NHL exemplifies the potential of local athletes. 2. **Strategic Selection**: The Bruins' decision to draft Hagens is seen as a key step in rebuilding their roster and enhancing their future competitiveness. 3. **Fan Engagement**: The mixed reactions from fans highlight the emotional investment in local players and the dynamics of team loyalty in sports. As Hagens embarks on his professional journey, both he and the Bruins look forward to a promising future in the NHL [https://www.nhl.com/bruins/multimedia/galleries/photos-bruins-select-james-hagens-with-first-round-pick][https://clutchpoints.com/nhl/boston-bruins/meet-james-hagens-bruins-2025-nhl-draft].