James Hagens is a legit top-tier NHL prospect for the 2025 Draft. His elite skating, vision, and playmaking make him a standout, especially as a Center for the USHL’s Chicago Steel and Boston College.
.
Hagens is projected as a potential top-5 pick, with some mocks having him as high as #2 overall. His ability to control the game and rack up points—104 in 79 USHL games—shows he’s got the tools to be a future star. That said, his size (5’10”, 168 lbs) might raise questions about physicality, but his skill set screams high-end NHL potential. Imagine him playing with Matvei Michkov!!!
I was fortunate enough to partake in a roundtable interview with Hagens and some other reporters before the NHL Combine, to include the Boston Globe, before the NHL Combine. Hagens had some good things to say about Philadelphia, and that should come as no surprise as the Flyers I’m sure have talked to him multiple times throughout the year.
“Philly is a great sports city. It would be great to play with Matvei and a player of his talent.” – James Hagens said in an interview with Jamey Baskow
You think Hagens hasn’t watched Flyers games? Think again, he watched Matvei Michkov play this past season, and he used to watch Claude Giroux play when he was a Flyer. Hagens is a big fan of Giroux, especially when G used to play for the Flyers.
No shock there—Claude Giroux was a wizard with the puck, and Hagens, with his own playmaking flair, probably soaked up every deke and pass from G’s Flyers days. Watching Matvei Michkov light it up last season must’ve been a treat too; Michkov’s highlight reel is pure chaos. Hagens probably sees a bit of himself in those skilled, game-breaking types.
“I grew up watching all the games. Claude Giroux (Laughing), man.” – James Hagens said to Jamey Baskow
All the games, meaning all hockey games. Hagens is a hockey guy, through and through. He is hockey to the core! The kid lives and breathes the game, probably lacing up skates in his sleep. His love for Giroux and keeping tabs on Michkov just shows he’s studying the best to become the best. Hopefully, he falls to the orange and black at 6th overall in June.
Check out our Flyers Nitty Gritty Store
