James Hagens is a strong fit for the Flyers due to his dynamic playmaking ability, and the team’s need for a top-line Center. As a 5’11”, 176-pound left-handed Center from Boston College, Hagens is known for elite skating, vision, and hockey IQ, often compared to Jack Hughes for his creativity and agility.
His playmaking ability—highlighted by a 72.5% pass completion rate in the offensive zone and a knack for setting up teammates for high-danger scoring chances—would complement the Flyers’ young star Matvei Michkov, a goal-scorer who thrives with a creative Center. Hagens is just excited to possibly be drafted to the NHL, “You just have to be grateful about it, being able to hear your name in those conversations and leading up to the draft now, having the opportunity to get drafted into any organization in the league,” Hagens said this past Tuesday in an interview. “It’s something you have to be grateful for.”
Hagens continues, “It’s one step in the process, but you just have to be ready. Getting drafted has been my dream my whole life. That’s why I started playing hockey, that’s why I play. I’m really grateful for everything right now. The noise will always be there. You just have to make sure you live in the moment and take it day by day.”
A young playmaker in Hagens’ two-way game also balances Michkov’s offensive focus, potentially forming a potent top line with players like Travis Konecny or Owen Tippett, “I love making plays. I love being able to find guys backdoor,” Hagens says. “That’s something I feel like is a big part of my game my while entire career. But, I wouldn’t say I ever deflect away from shooting the puck. I know when to shoot, and when to pass. It’s just something that really helps take my game to the next level, the way I’m able to find other guys. Obviously, playing with Ryan and Gabe and Teddy, those are guys that if you find them, they will put the puck in the back of the net. College is a different level of hockey. It’s harder, it’s not Junior hockey. It’s tough to score every given night. You have to work to score goals.”
The Flyers have a critical need for a Number One Center to anchor their rebuild, and Hagens’ 35 points (10 goals, 25 assists) in 35 NCAA games as a Freshman, plus his record-breaking 22 points in seven games at the 2024 U18 World Championship, show his high-end potential.
“I’ll just try to explain how high my compete level is at the combine,” Hagens said. “I’m getting ready to show that with all the tests, I love winning, I will do anything to win. It’s something that’s helped me get to the point where I am today. I’ve been able to work my whole life.”
Hagens continues, “Nothing’s ever come easy. I’ve had to work for everything I’ve gotten. That’s something that I’m super grateful for and it’s something that’s in my family and something I was taught by my parents and coaches. Going into those meetings, I want to impress how hard that I compete and how badly I want to be on a team that will hopefully win a Stanley Cup one day.”
“I love winning, I will do anything to win…I want to be with a team that will hopefully win a Stanley Cup one day.” – James Hagens said to Jamey Baskow in an interview
Part Three of my interview with Hagens will be released on Friday.
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