The Boston Bruins had secured the number seven pick ahead of the 2025 NHL Draft. And with the Boston outfit floundering at the bottom of the Atlantic Division for much of 2024-25, they were hoping that they could get a top ten prospect on June 27.
And the name they most wanted was Boston College’s James Hagens. The young center forward has been at the top of the priority list for the Bruins, who have been interested in him since the combine. And, come Friday, June 27, they managed to secure Hagens.
Once the Bruins got their chance to draft their first prospect of this season, they chose Hagens. And it was done in the most unique way possible for the youngster.
Adam Sandler Shows Up on the Big Screen To Draft James Hagens
Hagens is a big fan of Adam Sandler. He has, in fact, made that clear multiple times. He even quotes Happy Gilmore, which stars Sandler, as his favorite film. So it was even more remarkable for him when Sandler himself showed up on the screen of the Peacock Theater to draft Hagens.
At the Bruins’ call, Sandler, a big Bruins fan himself, came, introducing himself as, “Hi, my name is Happy Gilmore.” He continued with, “Proud to be part of the 2025 NHL Draft. The Boston Bruins select from Boston College, James Hagens. Way to go, homie.”
Oh, Happy day.
Who we picking, Mr. Gilmore?#NHLDraft pic.twitter.com/2K62fWGruA
– Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) June 28, 2025
This was a fulfilling moment for Hagens, who not only got drafted as a top 10 prospect but also had a moment with his favorite star. Post-draft, he mentioned, “It was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had.”
He further continued, “I love Happy Gilmore, it’s my favorite movie – so seeing him up on the screen and you’re sitting there, you’re hoping he says your name, and he says Boston College… It’s something that doesn’t feel real.” It was a surreal moment for sure.
Many doubted Hagens’ chances to be called in the top 10 due to his low scoring output with just 11 goals in 37 games for Boston College. But Boston seems to have shown faith in the youngster, who will now be representing another Boston side. But this was also a big moment for Sandler himself.
As Sandler showed up on the screen to announce, Bruins fans were stoked since the number 18 jersey that he wore has been synonymous with Bruins legend Wayne Cashman, who played all his seventeen seasons with Boston.
He even captained the team in his last six seasons and was part of the Stanley Cup-winning teams of 1970 and 1972. Sandler, who hasn’t tried to hide his love for the Bruins by wearing their jerseys multiple times on his ‘Saturday Night Live’ sketches, has also been seen in public wearing their merchandise.
