With Adam Sandler saying his decide, Boston School’s James Hagens joyful to be drafted by Bruins

[ad_1] Rising up on Lengthy Island, James Hagens wished nothing greater than to be chosen by the crew he grew up rooting for, the New York Islanders.

Although that dream didn't materialize on the NHL draft on Friday evening, the 18-year-old Boston School heart was very happy with the comfort. Hagens shouldn't be solely staying in Boston, after being chosen seventh general by the Bruins, he loved the additional bonus of getting his identify introduced by Adam Sandler.

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“Simply being on a crew that wishes you essentially the most, I really like Boston. I really like the realm,” he stated after changing into the primary U.S.-born participant taken within the draft. “It’s so particular to have Adam Sandler make that decide. It’s one thing I’ll always remember for the remainder of my life.”

It simply so occurs that Hagens lists his favourite film as “Blissful Gilmore,” which options Sandler as a former hockey participant who turns his consideration to golf.

Sporting a Bruins jersey, Sandler introduced the decide on a video display screen on the draft stage contained in the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. As Hagens made his approach up the aisle, Sandler may very well be seen celebrating on display screen within the background.

Sandler was one in every of quite a few celebrities to introduce groups’ alternatives with the NHL going to a decentralized draft format during which its 32 franchises made their picks from their very own markets. That’s completely different from the previous, when all groups gathered inside the identical facility to make their picks.

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At 5-foot-11, Hagens had 11 objectives and 26 help s to complete fourth in factors amongst school freshmen final season. He scored 5 objectives for America’s gold medal-winning crew on the world juniors championships.

The Islanders had the primary decide, and chosen defenseman Matthew Schaefer.

Lastly, a commerce

The primary 11 picks within the draft glided by with none motion. Then, Commissioner Gary Bettman requested Kris Letang’s son, Alex, to press the crimson button that introduced “Commerce Alert” up on video screens.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded No. 12, which the New York Rangers transferred to them earlier within the week to finish the J.T. Miller take care of Vancouver, to the cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers for Nos. 22 and 31. The Flyers took massive heart Jack Nesbitt.

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“You have been our man all alongside,” normal supervisor Daniel Briere instructed him.

Superstar pickers

Bettman introduced the primary decide, then turned the obligations over to everybody from a WWE wrestler to a collection of NHL alumni.

Golfer Tony Finau did it for Utah, Basketball Corridor of Famer Charles Barkley for Philadelphia, members of the Goo Goo Dolls for Buffalo and Meredith Gaudreau, spouse of late Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau, for Columbus.