The Boston Bruins selected centerman James Hagens with the seventh overall pick during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft on Friday. Hagens learned of the pick from his favorite actor, Adam Sandler of Happy Gilmore fame, who announced the selection via video message at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California.
Typically prospects have their families with them in attendance for their big moments but Hagens took that to the next level with his wardrobe choice. During pre-draft coverage on NHL Network, Hagens revealed the inside lining of his suit jacket was printed with photos of his loved ones, including his dog Oshie.
Yes, that Oshie.
“So, I have a bunch of pictures of family and my dog in there too, we named him after TJ Oshie after the shootout goals against Russia, so Oshie’s in there,” Hagens explained, showing off his fit on camera. “A lot of meaningful pictures that kind of just represent a bunch of steps in your life.”
The clearest picture of Oshie inside Hagens’ jacket appeared near the center-left corner of the area visible in the video posted by NHL Network on Instagram. It depicts he and his brother Michael carrying the presumed doodle mix in front of what looks like the family Christmas tree.
Oshie the player, who recently announced his retirement from hockey after 17 years, shot to fame after practically single-handedly defeating Team Russia on behalf of Team USA in a group stage match at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics. He scored four times on goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky during the eight-round shootout after overtime failed to break the 2-2 deadlock. That performance and exposure endeared him to hockey fans nationwide, Hagens included.
The 18-year-old pivot out of Boston College joins his former teammate, Washington Capitals right winger Ryan Leonard, as the second Eagle in three years to be drafted in the Top 10 of the draft. Leonard was selected eighth overall in 2023 but made his debut with Washington this year.
Hagens was third on the team in scoring during the 2024-25 season with 37 points (11g, 26a) in as many games, trailing only Leonard (49 points) and New York Rangers first-round pick (23rd overall) Gabe Perreault (48 points).
