The Bruins signed their prized prospect James Hagens late Monday night, though he’ll be headed to Providence instead of Boston, at least to start.
The now former Boston College star signed an AHL amateur tryout agreement (ATO) and will report to the Providence Bruins on Tuesday morning for practice at the Amica Mutual Pavilion.
While it may disappoint some Bruins fans that the 19-year-old Hagens will not be starting his career on Causeway Street, a statement from general manager Don Sweeney released by the team Monday night indicated Hagens could still make it to Boston this season. The B’s have 12 games remaining in the regulation — starting Tuesday against Toronto — and the competition for the last remaining Eastern Conference playoff spots has been fierce.
“We’re very excited to have James join the Bruins organization and take this next step,” Sweeney said. “James is an important part of our future, and this is a great opportunity for him to get immediate experience at the professional level in Providence and continue his development, while keeping all options open.”
A natural spot for him would be on the third line left wing, where Mikey Eyssimont and Alex Steeves had been alternating before trade deadline acquisition Lukas Reichel was given a shot there. Reichel has been good in his first two games, bringing some speed to the Elias Lindholm-Morgan Geekie line. He scored a goal in his Bruins debut against Winnipeg last week. If Reichel should falter, or if the B’s health doesn’t hold out, then Hagens could easily get the call, in which case he would sign his NHL entry level contract.
Hagens was the Bruins’ prize for bottoming out last season. The B’s selected him seventh overall in last June’s draft after his freshman season at the Heights, where he was a point a game player (11-26-37 totals in 37 games) while playing mostly set-up man for Ryan Leonard, now with the Washington Capitals, and Gabriel Perrault, now with the New York Rangers.
In his just completed sophomore season, he took on more of a goal-scoring role, posting 23-24-47 totals in 34 games while moving from center to wing.
If there is a knock on Hagens, it is that he’s just 5-foot-11, 177 pounds and can tend to play on the perimeter. But he did add some weight after his freshman season and this season he played with a touch more physicality, though, it will be his abundant skills with the puck that will be his ticket to success in pro hockey.
That career will officially begin in Providence on Tuesday. Time will tell how long it takes him to get to Boston. It may not take long.