A Suffolk County native was drafted in the NHL draft on Friday — but not to the team local fans hoped for.
James Hagens, who grew up in Hauppauge, N.Y., was selected by the Bruins with the No. 7 overall pick.
Hagens, 18, has played one season of college hockey with Boston College, where he scored 11 goals and notched 26 assists in 37 games.
The center was also a member of the USA Hockey National Team Development Program during the 2022-23 season, when he ranked second on the squad in scoring with 26 goals and 40 assists in 43 games.
Hagens grew up a fan of the Islanders, with many fans hoping that the team would trade up for him in the draft.
