F James Hagens - USNTDP Juniors, USHL (2025 Draft)

[FLAMESFAN]

It’s not that strong. He’s better than half the players that made the team and half of them are not projected NHL’ers or projected bottom half of the lineup NHL’ers.

Everyone talks about how good the USA forwards are, but Canada’s forwards are likely better. It was good for a USA forward core, but they’ve disintegrated the strength of the forward core with stupid selections.

Canada wouldn’t leave out their best players for the future. USA does. Canada fans also get furious when bad decisions are made. USA fans shill for USA Hockey, and refuse to question it.

Did Celebrini make Team Canada last year?

Hagens will make the team next year, and will be better ready for a top spot.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Did Celebrini make Team Canada last year?

Completely different. Hagens is a U18. Celebrini was a U17 last year. It’s similar to Lafreniere, who made it as a U18.

 

[Mathieukferland]

Did Celebrini make Team Canada last year?

Wrong thread obviously to talk about this but I think if he’s playing in Seattle (especially with all the Seattle guys that made the team last year) he gets a serious look, 30/70 he makes it.

As for Hagens, I’m surprised he wasn’t included, I think as a 3 C or winger he is competent defensively, provides depth scoring and skates better than most on the team. But there’s not too much to complain about, I still think it’s the best forward group at the tournament

 

[bigdog16]

It’s not that strong. He’s better than half the players that made the team and half of them are not projected NHL’ers or projected bottom half of the lineup NHL’ers.

Everyone talks about how good the USA forwards are, but Canada’s forwards are likely better. It was good for a USA forward core, but they’ve disintegrated the strength of the forward core with stupid selections.

Canada wouldn’t leave out their best players for the future. USA does. Canada fans also get furious when bad decisions are made. USA fans shill for USA Hockey, and refuse to question it.

It was noted by multiple people including Chris Peters that he looked a bit overmatched at camp. Was getting knocked off pucks easily and not winning battles. Again they arent picking this team based on upside. In a 2 week tournament today he is not a better option than those chosen

 

[FLAMESFAN]

Completely different. Hagens is a U18. Celebrini was a U17 last year. It’s similar to Lafreniere, who made it as a U18.

Didn't know they were only a few months apart, but different draft years.

 

[MichaelFarrell]

It’s not that strong. He’s better than half the players that made the team and half of them are not projected NHL’ers or projected bottom half of the lineup NHL’ers.

Everyone talks about how good the USA forwards are, but Canada’s forwards are likely better. It was good for a USA forward core, but they’ve disintegrated the strength of the forward core with stupid selections.

Canada wouldn’t leave out their best players for the future. USA does. Canada fans also get furious when bad decisions are made. USA fans shill for USA Hockey, and refuse to question it.

Where does Hagans fit on this team?

Perreault-Smith-Leonard
Gautheir-Nazar-Brindley
McGroarty-Moore-Snuggerud
Nelson-Terrance-Howard
Hayes-Finley

This forward group is stacked. That top 9 is stronger than Canada’s on paper. And the D-Core is solid. Who’s he taking a job from on this group? Hagans is talented but he’s undersized and young. Hagans just wouldn’t have a role on this team if he’s not in the top 6 and PP.

 

[BKarchitect]

A bit disappointing we won’t get to watch him but he’s gonna be the youngest guy in the team NEXT year so he will have his shot to impress at this level before he is even drafted.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

It was noted by multiple people including Chris Peters that he looked a bit overmatched at camp. Was getting knocked off pucks easily and not winning battles. Again they arent picking this team based on upside. In a 2 week tournament today he is not a better option than those chosen

And Corey Pronman said that he looked great at yesterdays practice.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Where does Hagans fit on this team?

Perreault-Smith-Leonard
Gautheir-Nazar-Brindley
McGroarty-Moore-Snuggerud
Nelson-Terrance-Howard
Hayes-Finley

This forward group is stacked. That top 9 is stronger than Canada’s on paper. And the D-Core is solid. Who’s he taking a job from on this group? Hagans is talented but he’s undersized and young. Hagans just wouldn’t have a role on this team if he’s not in the top 6 and PP.

No offense, I doubt those will be the lines, so you are asking me to respond to what won't be the lines. Anyway, I would easily take Moore out of that top 9 to start with.

I'm not suggesting there aren't good players there or that isn't a good forward group, but Hagens is better than a lot of those players, it could've been better, Canada's forward group is likely better, and the thing you didn't mention but shouldn't be dismissed is that under the current roster construction the team is asking Gauthier to play center without any other regular center alternative in the top 9.

 

[clevelandcane]

Kid should be on the team. No doubt in my mind.

 

[scoutman1]

Hagens should have been on this team...just like Will Smith should have been on last years USA World Junior Team.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Hagens should have been on this team...just like Will Smith should have been on last years USA World Junior Team.

Smith was sick last year at the camp. Otherwise, I think he would’ve made it.

 

[scoutman1]

Smith was sick last year at the camp. Otherwise, I think he would’ve made it.

oh ok...that explains it...I am in Halifax and was looking to watching him at the world juniors here and i was like wth lol

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

3 assists today.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

 

[Ryan Van Horne]

"He's jUsT a pLAymAkeR who gets points from setting up Eiserman!" -- Spongebob, the hockey scout

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

"He's jUsT a pLAymAkeR who gets points from setting up Eiserman!" -- Spongebob, the hockey scout

He shoots it well. He's not like a Bedard or Celebrini. Those guys are closer to shooters than passers, but he's not that much worse of a shooter than passer.

It's part of why I don't think the Hughes comparison is that exact. Hughes has improved his shot, but couldn't beat goalies clean with shots and was a lot more of a playmaker at the same point.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

4 points the last 2 days.

Now playing on a line with Eiserman again.

 

[JiggsNY]

 

[SI90]

Finally, a player who wore Islanders pajamas growing up!!

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

Finally, a player who wore Islanders pajamas growing up!!

Coronato did too, I think.

 

[Pavel Buchnevich]

His pride for coming from Long Island completely comes across in this article. His agent is a no-name former hockey player from Long Island, he's buddies with Coronato and Tanner Adams, and like half this article is about his upbringing in Long Island. He has a younger sister who the article says is good. She's three years younger than him. Also included is that Michael is a lot better academically (Straight A's) and James isn't that, so Harvard Admissions probably is why they ended up at BC.

Meet James Hagens, the 2025 NHL Draft's top prospect and hockey's next American star

Hagens, a 17-year-old from Long Island, is the front-runner to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

theathletic.com

 

[mphmiles]

The point in the article about his compete level and the "snarl" to his game for a high skill player is something that always jumped out to me about him. (And is a big reason I think he'll succeed)

I remember in the world U18's he believed Misa took a dive to draw a penalty against him, and Hagens took such exception to it he didn't let him forget about it for the rest of the game.

 

[Juxtaposer]

Hagens really has it all. He’s smart enough to be a good defensive player once he gets used to NHLers. If only he were 2-3 inches taller, he’d be just about a perfect player.

 

[WarriorofTime]

Second best 06 in the world AINEC.