Five teams since September is a lot, but World Championship too big an opportunity for Bruins rookie James Hagens to pass up

Oshie’s time is coming.

James Hagens has been looking forward to spending some quality time with his dog — a 12-year-old miniature schnauzer named for former NHL sniper T.J. Oshie — but the Bruins forward has one more thing on his hockey itinerary before the dog days of summer.

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Hagens will suit up for the United States at the IIHF World Championship. The Americans open the tournament Friday against host Switzerland.

It will cap a whirlwind season for Hagens, who started his hockey campaign with Boston College, competed at the World Juniors in December, joined the Providence Bruins in March, and then made his NHL and playoff debuts with the Bruins a month later.

When he pulls on Uncle Sam’s colors in Zurich, it’ll be the 19-year-old’s fifth sweater since September.

“It’s a lot to take in. It was a really exciting year. This is a dream come true for me,” Hagens said. “So, to be able to go back home, probably sit down, spend a lot of time with my dog. I haven’t seen him in a while, but yeah, I don’t know. It comes at you quick. So, it’s just being able to kind of relax, spend time with family, kind of wind it back down. But at the same time, you want to be able to get better, so it’s going to be a big offseason. I have a lot to work on, so it’s making sure that you’re prepared for it.”

The opportunity to play at Worlds — where the United States won gold in 2025 — was something he couldn’t pass up.

“I’m really excited. It’ll be cool getting that experience and being around guys like that, as well,” said Hagens during the Bruins’ locker room cleanout day. “Just go out there and play hockey. You get a chance to go out and play more games. So, you just got to make sure that you bring over good habits, and you learn from it, too.”

Don Sweeney said the Worlds is a perfect environment to continue Hagens’s development.

“It’s going to be a great opportunity. Being part of Hockey Canada and understanding the players that went last year to represent Canada and look at the rosters now, they’re all taking an eye towards the World Cup, the Olympics. It’s a really competitive tournament,” said the Bruins’ general manager. “He now has a chance to be a part of a locker room of star players on other teams and earn ice time. That’s what it’s all about.”

After signing his entry-level contract, Hagens played in Boston’s final two regular-season games and the first three playoff tilts against the Sabres.

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His speed, vision, and hockey IQ were evident during those snippets. Off the ice, Hagens also got an inside look at how his older mates prepare.

“I think all around, you see these guys, their attention to detail, everything matters. There’s not a play in the games that doesn’t [matter], so it’s being able to see that,” said Hagens. “I have to be able to get faster, to work on my shot. You can work on everything. So, it’s not one specific thing. I want to try to make everything better.”

Speed — both physical and mental — are specific areas where Hagens would like to improve.

“You have to be able to think right away. You don’t have too much time and space. So, you have to be able to make plays, and you’ve got to be able to move out there, especially when you get the puck your first couple steps. They have to be strong,” said Hagens. “So, working on that, and when you have time to skate, just hopefully try to take off. So those are all things you can work on and try to get better at.”

The five-game sample should help build a solid foundation for the future.

“I think James got a lot of valuable lessons in the short time he was here at the end of the year,” said Bruins president Cam Neely.

As for Oshie, play time is right around the corner.

“He’s a little bit older,” said Hagens. “But he’s awesome.”

Hagens will be joined on Team USA by Bruins teammates Mason Lohrei and Alex Steeves.

Jeremy Swayman, who backstopped the Americans to the gold at last year’s Worlds, won’t play as he is expecting his first child.

Other Bruins expected to participate include center Fraser Minten (Canada), defenseman Henri Jokiharju and goalie Joonas Korpisalo (Finland), and wingers Matej Blumel (Czechia) and Lukas Reichel (Germany), who was signed to a one-year contract extension Thursday.

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