James Hagens speaks at the draft combine about what it means for the NY Islanders to have the first overall pick

The first step in the draft process has begun as the 2025 NHL Scouting Combine is underway in Buffalo. Nearly all the top prospects are in attendance, including Matthew Schaefer, Michael Misa, and James Hagens, all vying for the first overall pick.

Long Island native and lifelong NY Islanders fan James Hagens spoke with the media today about what it means to have his hometown team owning the first overall pick.

Bring Hagens Home

"Being from Long Island and always being around the Isles my whole entire life, I know how exciting that is for all my friends and every Isles fan out there,” Hagens said, according to NHL.com. “You just have to be grateful for whichever team takes a chance on you. It's cool that [the Islanders won the lottery], but you don't know what's going to happen on draft day."

Before the start of the season, Hagens was projected to be selected first overall, but despite averaging a point-per-game in his freshman campaign at Boston College, the Hauppauge native has been surpassed by the likes of Schaefer and Misa. Still, there are plenty of Long Islanders who want to see their native son in the blue and orange, sporting bumper stickers that read “Bring Hagens Home.”

"I have seen it," Hagens said. "It's cool when you see people around Long Island supporting that and having that on their car ... it's special. Growing up an Islanders fan and seeing them get that first pick, naturally you're happy, you're excited.”

The combine will continue through Saturday, during which prospects will be put through various measurable tests and will have a chance to have one-on-one interviews with different organizations.