Patrick WilliamsTheAHL.com Features Writer
A pair of NHL blue-chip rookies, a 19-year-old forward Cole Eiserman and James Hagensjoined the AHL club this past week after electing to turn pro.
Eiserman, the 20th overall pick in the 2024 NHL Draft, made his professional debut with the Bridgeport Islanders on Saturday afternoon. Hagans, who was drafted seventh overall by the Boston Bruins last June, is expected to make his Providence debut tonight (7 p.m. ET, free to watch on AHLTV's FloHockey).
As a sophomore at Boston College, Hagans led the Hockey East Conference with 47 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 34 games and was a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Eiserman, a sophomore at Boston College, has 18 goals in 28 games and 28 points in 32 games, tied for third in the Hockey East. The two won a gold medal together for Team USA at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships and competed in this winter's competition in Minnesota.
Hagans took his first on-ice spin Tuesday morning in Providence.
“It was fun,” he said later. “It's really exciting to be there [for] My first professional practice. It's definitely something I'll never forget. I'm so grateful to these people for being so receptive to me being here today. The moment I walked in those doors, they were able to help me on the ice, there was just not much [conversations] In terms of what to expect, training, what to do… we have a really good group of guys in the locker room. In order to fit in, you have to immerse yourself in it. “
Hagans is Boston's latest first-round pick in recent years to come to Providence, a group that includes Fabian Lesser, John Beecher, Jack DeBrusk, Charlie McAvoy, Urho Vakanainen and David Pastrnak.
Former Beantown College rivals are starting their careers with teams looking to play some meaningful hockey this spring. League-leading Providence has clinched a spot in the Calder Cup playoffs and is seeking first place in the AHL overall standings. They also need 17 points in their final 11 games to post the best regular season record in league history.
Bridgeport, meanwhile, currently sits in fifth place in the Atlantic Division, with just nine points separating fourth from eighth, with six teams qualifying for the playoffs. Having Eiserman play in the final month of the regular season — and hopefully more — means the 19-year-old can gain additional valuable professional experience.
Hagans, meanwhile, is another boost for a Providence team that already ranks third in the AHL in scoring offense and second in goals allowed. No matter how long he wears the spoked “P,” he will be counted on to contribute as the P-Bruins chase their first Calder Trophy since 1999.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase your game,” Hagans said of joining Providence, “to be a part of a team like this.”
About two decades in the American Hockey League, TheAHL.com feature writer Patrick Williams also currently covers the league for NHL.com and FloSports and is a regular contributor to SiriusXM NHL Network Radio. In 2016, he received the AHL's James H. Ellery Memorial Award for outstanding coverage of the league.
