“This year went really well, coming in right away and learning how to adapt to the pace of play and the structure of a college-level game. It was something that really helped me and helped my game.”

To some observers, Hagens was in a situation akin to that of Macklin Celebrini, who arrived at Boston University in 2023 as the projected top pick in 2024 and went on to be selected No. 1 by the Sharks last June after posting 64 points.

Once the season started, Hagens worked his way up to centering the top line, skating with 2023 first-round picks Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. It was a spot occupied the year before by Will Smith, who led the country with 71 points before signing with the Sharks last spring.

While Hagens didn’t have the same level of offensive production, comparisons to Celebrini or Smith weren’t quite fair as the circumstances were a bit different. Listed at 5 feet 11 inches, 176 pounds, Hagens did not have the physical traits of Celebrini, who showed up at BU at 6 feet, 190 pounds and already was a more complete player.

Smith had established chemistry with Leonard and Perreault, the trio having skated together with the US National Team Development Program before heading to BC. So while the transition may not have been seamless at first with Hagens, by the end of the season they were one of the top lines in the NCAA, with Leonard being named Hockey East Player of the Year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

“He’s got some things that are a lot harder to teach,” said BC coach Greg Brown. “His spatial awareness and ability to transport pucks and skate by guys, not only with good skating but also by using his brain to set up the people he wants to skate by, whether he’s making them freeze with a fake, or getting them at the wrong foot so he can use the other side against them. He just has some real special attributes that will translate very well to the NHL.”

At times it seemed Hagens may have been too deferential to his older linemates, perhaps not looking for his own shot.

“He did have those moments, but he’s kind of a pass-first player right now,” said Brown. “His vision and creativity to distribute pucks is one of his very best attributes, and I think he enjoys that part of the game, so he’ll grow into becoming a dual threat of scorer and passer.”

Whether that growth continues at BC is not certain, as Hagens hasn’t stated if he will return for his sophomore year. While Smith and Celebrini were one and done, another year in college would seem to be beneficial for Hagens, allowing him to follow in the footsteps of Leonard and Perreault, who jumped to the NHL this spring. Cutter Gauthier also returned for a second year with BC for the 2023-24 season, and went on to lead the nation in goals and was a Hobey Baker finalist.

“You just have to see what happens,” said Hagens. “There’s no decision made yet. That’s a discussion me and my family and the team would have to have after the draft.”

The NHL is not a developmental league, with teams playing three to four times a week. The college schedule typically calls for no more than two games a week, on weekends, allowing for more practices. It also provides an opportunity to hit the weight room so players can withstand the rigors of the NHL when they do make the jump.

It’s hard to imagine any organization having an issue if Hagens chooses to return to campus. Most scouting reports indicate that he could use a bit more seasoning. He certainly seems to have enjoyed his time in Boston, and didn’t flinch when asked about the prospect of falling to Bruins, who own the seventh pick.

“I love Boston,” Hagens said. “Obviously being at Boston College, I’m right in the middle of Boston there. It’s a beautiful city. Only great things to say about it.”

But before that, he will head to Buffalo for next week’s scouting combine, something Hagens has been gearing up for since BC’s season ended in late March. It’s another step as he moves closer to hearing his name called next month.

“Getting drafted, it’s been my dream my entire life,” said Hagens. “That’s why I started playing hockey. That’s why I still play. I’m really just grateful for everything right now … You just have to make sure you’re living in the moment and taking it day by day.”

Follow Andrew Mahoney @GlobeMahoney.

Jake Butt joins Adam Breneman for an unfiltered conversation about the broken state of college football. From NIL (name, image, and likeness) hypocrisy to why players feel like employees, Jake dives into how the culture needs to evolve and fast.

He also shares his journey from Michigan star to rising broadcaster, his thoughts on sports betting, why Penn State might be ready to break through, and how he rebuilt his purpose after football.

The Department of Homeland Security has designated State College as a “sanctuary jurisdiction” under Executive Order 14287, titled “Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.”

The executive order, signed by President Donald Trump, mandates the identification and public listing of jurisdictions that, according to DHS, obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws. 

State College was included on the DHS list due to policies perceived as limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. These may involve restrictions on local law enforcement’s ability to share information with federal agencies or to detain individuals based solely on their immigration status, creating a barrier to Trump’s mass deportation plan. 

The designation implies that these jurisdictions may face federal scrutiny and potential consequences, such as the withholding of certain federal funds, unless they adhere with the administration’s policies for federal immigration laws.

Other cities in Pennsylvania included were Gettysburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and York.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian got defensive when asked about a recent report claiming the Longhorns are set to spend around $40 million on their team for the 2025 college football season

Most college football blue bloods aren’t naive to the fact that their programs can’t spend more each season than their rivals. The figures they can spend vary. Kirk Bohls of the Houston Chronicle reported that Texas is set to spend between $35 and $40 million next season in an attempt to get over the College Football Playoff semifinal hump.

Coach Steve Sarkisian was not impressed with this stir. “It was a little bit of irresponsible reporting,” he said Tuesday during a hit on SiriusXM radio.

Even after losing the likes of Quinn Ewers to the NFL, Sarkisian can still rely on a star-studded and expensive roster in 2025, led by ascending quarterback Arch Manning.

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“I wish I had $40 million on our roster, we’d probably be a better team than we are,” Sarkisian continued. “The idea to think that a lot of other schools aren’t spending money to get players, I mean, it’s the state of college football right now. It is what it is.

“We’re fortunate, don’t get me wrong. We’ve got great support. Chris Del Conte, our athletic director, does a fantastic job. People are excited, and we’ve been to the CFP two years in a row and have had 20-something guys drafted the last two years. It has been a great run.”

Sarkisian has taken well to life in Austin. The coach of the 2025 preseason No. 1, making north of $10 million annually, has a 38-17 record with the Longhorns.

This stint comes on the back of a successful run as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

Texas fell agonizingly short of the CFP final a season ago. Trailing by a touchdown late in the fourth quarter against Ohio State, Ewers fumbled the ball on a fourth-and-goal snap — it was returned over 80 yards by Buckeyes linebacker Jack Sawyer to secure the victory.

“We have been to the CFP two years in a row, and we’ve had 20-something guys drafted the last two years,” Sarkisian added. “So it’s been great. It’s been a great run. I wish I had another $15 million or so; we might have a little better roster.”

He bemoaned the lack of real reporting on his team’s finances.

“I’ve watched this for 25 years now, the evolution of Twitter and social media, and podcasts,” he said.

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“One guy writes an article from an anonymous source that says that’s what our roster is. Everybody ran with it. And I’m talking real publications, ran with it.

“Nobody asked me one question. Okay, sure, but if that’s the narrative you want to paint for our team. That’s fine, whatever.”

Sarkisian and the top-ranked Longhorns will open the season with a CFP rematch, traveling to Columbus for a matchup against a dangerous Ohio State side.

GRAND FORKS — UND has landed one of the top recruits in Western Canada.

Cole Reschny, a center who is projected to be picked in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft, has committed to UND for the upcoming season.

The 5-foot-11, 187-pound forward from Macklin, Sask., tallied 92 points in 62 games this season for the Victoria Royals of the Western Hockey League. He finished ninth in the league in scoring.

“I did a lot of talking with my family, my parents, my agent and ultimately, going to UND was the best decision,” Reschny said. “I think it will best prepare me for the next level, which is the NHL one day.”

Reschny is expected to immediately center one of UND’s top two lines.

He visited UND earlier this month. Although he spoke to other college programs, UND was his lone college visit.

“It was great,” Reschny said. “Getting to meet the coaches like Dane (Jackson), Dillon (Simpson) and Chyz (Bryn Chyzyk) was great. It was very good to see all the facilities and to go around campus and see what things are like. I felt like it’s a great hockey environment and that’s what I want to be in.”

Reschny will attend the NHL Combine this week and has been invited to the NHL Draft in Los Angeles on June 27-28.

The Athletic

and TSN’s

Craig Button

both have Reschny going No. 15 overall in their most recent mock drafts.

Ryan Kennedy

of The Hockey News has Reschny at No. 25.

“Cole Reschny has a chance to be a top-15 pick in this year’s draft thanks to high-end hockey sense, excellent puck skills and an ability to make plays all over the ice,” said FloHockey prospect expert Chris Peters. “He doesn’t have the best size and he’s not a natural burner with his skating, but his offensive capabilities put him among the upper-tier players in his draft class.”

Reschny was especially dominant at the end of the season.

He racked up 25 points in 11 playoff games for Victoria, then joined Team Canada at the IIHF World Under-18 Tournament in Texas.

Reschny had eight points in five games at Worlds.

“His second half, especially in the playoffs with Victoria and at the U18s with Canada, he was a legitimate driver,” Peters said. “Based on how effective he was in the WHL in the toughest stretch of the season, I think he’ll make a fairly smooth transition as he progresses up the ranks.”

Reschny’s head coach in Victoria this season was former UND legend James Patrick.

“It was a great year,” Reschny said, “a big year for me, my draft year. It wasn’t the best start. I thought I could be playing better. But (at the end), I think I was playing my best hockey. We had a great year team-wise in Victoria. It was a big year for me. I have nothing but great memories of Victoria and I can’t thank them enough for all of that.”

Now, it’s on to the next step for Reschny.

“I’m very excited,” he said. “I can’t wait to get started. It feels like it’s still a little bit away, but it will be here before I know it. I know they have a pretty good group there. I’m excited.”

Reschny is the second major prospect UND has grabbed out of the WHL in the last month. The Fighting Hawks also received a commitment from Cooper Williams, who will come to school in 2026 or 2027 from the Saskatoon Blades.

This is the first season in decades where Canadian major junior players are eligible for college. The NCAA announced the rules change last November.

“When the rules change happened, I started to take a look at things,” Reschny said. “I think everyone is taking a look at things and is open to the best options. I think seeing schools — the big ones like UND — you realize how much rich history there is and how many good players have come out of there and how they develop players with their facilities.”

Schlossman has covered college hockey for the Grand Forks Herald since 2005. He has been recognized by the Associated Press Sports Editors as the top beat writer for the Herald’s circulation division four times and the North Dakota sportswriter of the year twice. He resides in Grand Forks. Reach him at bschlossman@gfherald.com.

Vick emphasizes that he doesn’t want to be selfish in his approach to these matters.

“I would be like selfish man, that’s selfish. I’ve told a couple of them that, and they’ll be like, ‘Nah coach I want to be with you the whole time,’ and I’m like, ‘Alright. Well, when somebody comes and calls you, they get $700,000. Let me see if you want that.’”

It will be fascinating to see how Vick and Jackson approach college recruiting, balancing the influence of NIL funds in college football with the strong value of their established brands as NFL stars.