Bruins

“I want to be able to win a Beanpot, be able to win a national championship.”

Despite impressing during Boston’s Development Camp earlier this month, Bruins prospect James Hagens seemingly signaled this week that he intends on returning to Boston College for his sophomore season this fall. 

In an interview with NHL.com’s Mike G. Morreale, Hagens didn’t mince words when asked about his goals for this upcoming season. 

“I want to be able to win a Beanpot, be able to win a national championship,” Hagens, who is currently playing for Team USA at the World Junior Summer Showcase in Minnesota, told Morreale. “Everyone has their roles, but our team goal is winning. That’s what we want to do. We fell short last year, but it’s hopefully going to happen this year.”

Hagens’ career path after getting selected No. 7 overall in the 2025 NHL Draft offered plenty of intrigue after his impressive showing at Warrior Ice Arena during camp.

Speaking to reporters earlier this month, the 18-year-old Hagens was candid about his hopes of playing NHL hockey this upcoming season. 

“I want to be a Boston Bruin,” Hagens said earlier this week. “I want to be a Boston Bruin really bad. That’s the conversation that I have to have with the staff and management. … But, just to be able to get the draft over and know what team that you’re putting your heart and soul into, it’s a lot better.”

There stands a chance that Hagens might still don a black-and-gold sweater in 2025-26. Granted, it will now come in March or April 2026, after the Eagles’ season wraps up. 

As tempting as it might be to roll out Hagens on Oct. 8 to kick off a new season, the Bruins are opting for a more cautious approach by watching the center play out his sophomore season at Chestnut Hill.

Rather than go through growing pains against bruising NHL competition during a potential bridge season in Boston, Hagens should have the opportunity to build off the promise he showcased last season (11 goals, 26 assists in 37 games) as the Eagles’ go-to offensive threat.

With former BC standouts Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault now in the pros, Hagens will be tasked with being more assertive as the Eagles’ top scoring conduit in 2025-26 — giving the New York native a prime opportunity to build up his confidence and stuff the stat sheet in Hockey East. 

If Hagens makes that progression as a dominant player in the college ranks this season, an entry-level deal with Boston may not be far behind once the Eagles’ season comes to a close. 

“There will be no hurry to try and fast-track James [but] I’d say that about every player,” Don Sweeney said in June of the timeline of Hagens’ arrival to the pro game. “If somewhere between now and then that changes, and we feel differently about it as we’re evaluating, we may make that decision. I know he’d like to play right away.

“I’m sure every guy that was drafted [in the first round] thinks they might be able to play in the National Hockey League, but we’ll allow that to take a more natural course and make the right decision for James and the organization.”

 

Conor Ryan is a staff writer covering the Bruins, Celtics, Patriots, and Red Sox for Boston.com, a role he has held since 2023.

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NANTICOKE — Luzerne County Community College President John Yudichak on Wednesday praised the leadership of Luke Bernstein, President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry, and he reaffirmed LCCC’s commitment to supporting regional economic growth through higher education and workforce innovation.

“The college stands ready to partner with the PA Chamber in building a world-class workforce to drive and sustain economic growth throughout Pennsylvania,” Yudichak said. “Together, we are laying the foundation for a stronger, more resilient economy that uplifts every corner of the Commonwealth.”

Bernstein, a NEPA native, hosted a regional Government Affairs Roundtable at LCCC in partnership with local leaders and business stakeholders.

The event brought together key figures from the public and private sectors for a candid discussion on the legislative landscape, economic development opportunities, workforce challenges and business investment trends across Northeast Pennsylvania.

Northeast Pennsylvania legislators served on the panel: Sen. Lisa Baker, R-Lehman Township; Sen. Dave Argall, R-Pottsville; Sen. Linda Schlegel Culver, R-Northampton; Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre; Rep. Alec Ryncavage, R-Hanover Township; Rep. Dane Watro, R-Hazleton; Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township; and Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Pittston Township.

The roundtable was held in LCCC’s Educational Conference Center.

In his opening remarks, Yudichak said recent higher education reforms, like the passage of the College Affordability and Transparency Act, have empowered LCCC to partner with Commonwealth University to address workforce shortages in the region through innovative partnerships.

“Like the TEACH in NEPA Project, that will deliver a four-year teaching degree at the college’s Hazleton Center for less than $35,000,” Yudichak said. “The college is currently expanding its partnership with Commonwealth University to address additional work force shortages in the health care industry and the criminal justice profession.”

Yudichak also touted the Dual Credit Innovation Grant that inspired the creation of the LCCC Career & Technology Academy. The Academy is a partnership with the Hazleton Career Center, the Wilkes-Barre Career CTC, and the West Side CTC that will provide Luzerne County’s 2,000 CTC high school students a clear pathway to a post-secondary credential in the college’s trade and advance technology programs while they are still in high school.

“LCCC recently received a $1 million dual credit innovation grant from the PDE and a $100,000 scholarship from local businessman, Bill Rinaldi, as a result students will pay no tuition to attend the LCCC Career & Technology Academy over the next two years,” Yudichak said.

He said LCCC is responding to historic economic development announcements that detail the billions of dollars being invested in hyperscale data center development across Pennsylvania. He said LCCC is leading collaborative efforts to build a statewide Technology and Trade Workforce Consortium through the PA Commission on Community Colleges.

“Partnerships, collaborations, and innovations are driving everything we do at LCCC,” Yudichak said. “It is in exciting time here at the college and an exciting time in PA — rest assured LCCC is grateful for the support of its sponsors, Luzerne County and the Commonwealth of PA, and we are determined to fulfill our mission as a student-centered community college dedicated to student success and positive community impact.”

Bernstein thanked LCCC for hosting the event and he praised the college’s forward-thinking approach.

“It’s inspiring to see a college so aligned with the needs of its community and so determined to be a part of the solution,” Bernstein said. “LCCC is not just educating students — it’s helping to reimagine how Pennsylvania competes in a 21st-century economy.”

The roundtable served as a forum for candid dialogue on legislation, regulation and policy proposals that impact businesses and workers across Luzerne County and the broader NEPA region. Topics included workforce shortages, dual-enrollment funding, regional infrastructure investment, child care, natural gas development, education, and how to accelerate public-private partnerships for sustainable economic growth.

“Partnerships, collaborations and innovations are driving everything we do at LCCC,” Yudichak said. “It is an exciting time here at the college — and across Pennsylvania. Together with the PA Chamber, we are determined to build a brighter future.”

Lindsay Griffin-Boylan, President/CEO of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber, said, “Today is about working together to find solutions to create a better future for NEPA.”

Bernstein added, “It’s time to put politics aside to grow jobs and grow Pennsylvania’s economy.”