James Hagens: 2025 NHL Draft’s Top American Prospect
Born in Plymouth, Michigan, James Hagens moved to Bohemia, N.Y., with his older brother Michael and their father Michael Sr. Made his initial visit to Revolution Athletics, a Long Island gym in the U.S. This was the post-Covid-19 era, in which the mandates were lifted, and at that time, gym attendees did not pay attention to them.
Months later, when James began training at the Revolution in 2020, he arrived alone because Michael was recovering from double hip surgery.
The trainer who accepted him, Ben Brokaw, had recently completed his schooling in 2019 and was interning at the gym.
Even as they began their collaboration, Brokaw remained unaware of James’ background, considering him simply a reserved, young man.
James never got around to telling him. Instead, one of the gym’s other part-time athletes in hockey and football took it upon himself to fill in.
“Recognize him? When did James start his training sessions with you?” Brokaw recalls interrogating the athlete.
Brokaw replied, “Oh, did he? He started training a few months ago.”
The Athlete praised James as one of the world’s finest young hockey talents.
James had just finished his minor hockey stint with the AAA Long Island Royals. He was preparing to join the prestigious Mount St. Charles Academy, embarking on a journey leading to school records, a spot on the first row of the 2006 age group in USA Hockey’s national program and a points record (21 in seven ) established. Sports) in the World Under-17 Hockey Challenge.
Four years after Brokaw discovered James’ identity, the now 17-year-old has emerged as a leading contender for the No. 1 pick of the 2025 NHL Draft. During the Chipotle All-American Game, primarily a showcase for 2024 draft prospects, Hagens, 18 months removed from his draft, earned the best player of the game honors. He scored the opening goal for Team White and assisted on their second goal, making him 50 points in 32 games this season. Described by his USA Hockey coaches as one of the best players to graduate from the national program, Hagans demonstrated his extraordinary talent.
“Since I’ve been here for a while, you start to remember the developmental stages of players like Jack Hughes and Auston Matthews at this age.
Brokaw is now aware of all those details, and as he recalls that initial story, laughter is his only reaction.
Brokaw commented, “Not much was known about him, and it’s still amusing to me.” “So I talked to right away, thinking, ‘I need to get details on this.'”
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Others share similar stories to Brokaw’s about Hagens.
On the rink, he is poised to become the next major American hockey sensation. Moreover, he may emerge as an icon of the game.
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