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Hauppauge native Michael Hagens remembers attending Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum with his family while growing up on Long Island.
His father would bring mini hockey sticks so Michael, his younger brother James, a 2025 first-round pick of the Boston Bruins, and their friends could have a little extra fun while watching their beloved Islanders.
“We would be running around slapping the mini-sticks around the Coliseum,” said Hagens, a 21-year-old former Boston College defenseman spending this week at Islanders Development Camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.
Hagens, who was smiling from ear to ear following Monday morning’s practice, grew up as a huge fan of former Islanders captain John Tavares.
That may not be the most popular admission in Islanders Country these days, but Hagens was no different from many young fans who considered Tavares their favorite player.
When Tavares left the Islanders to sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2018, it took Hagens some time to get over it. He was also inside Nassau Coliseum when Tavares returned to Long Island as a visiting player for the first time.
“We were very upset when he made the move,” Hagens said. “I was at the game when he played back here for the first time when he was with Toronto. It was a super-crazy environment. I was upset when he moved.”
Hagens’ hockey journey began close to home, playing his U13 and U14 seasons with the Long Island Royals.
He then spent two seasons at Mount Saint Charles Academy in Rhode Island before playing two years with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League.
During his time with the Royals, Hagens played alongside his brother and Northport native Tanner Adams, who was also invited to Islanders Development Camp this week.
Roslyn native Ryan Franks rounds out the trio of Long Islanders wearing blue and orange at camp.
“It was huge for my development,” Hagens said of playing youth hockey on Long Island. “I think a big thing for youth hockey is that my father was my coach up until 14, pushing me on and off the ice. He was a huge rock for me and still is today.”
A year ago, many Islanders fans hoped the organization would select Michael’s brother, James, in the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Islanders instead used the first overall pick to select defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who went on to win the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year.
Darche attempted to acquire another first-round pick to bring James home to Long Island, but a deal never materialized. The Boston Bruins eventually selected him with the seventh overall pick.
The brothers have spent time together during the offseason as they prepare for the next stages of their hockey careers.
“He’s been awesome,” said Michael, who is wearing No. 86 at camp. “We’ve both been home for the summer for a little bit, so we’ve been training and hanging out. It’s good to be back with him, and he’s shared some stories about what he’s experienced. He’s been great.”
Hagens will have plenty of family members and friends in attendance Wednesday night when development camp participants take the ice at Northwell Health Ice Center for the annual Islanders Blue and White scrimmage.
But the scrimmage is only one part of a weeklong opportunity for Hagens to showcase his abilities and potentially earn an invitation to training camp.
“I just hope to show what I have, and hopefully down the road it makes sense to make a move for me here,” Hagens said. “I’m just super excited for this opportunity to prove myself.
“I’m just trying to get one percent better every day, and hopefully down the road it works out for me. I’m going to do everything in my power to make that happen. Getting to know the guys and experiencing the culture here is amazing. I’m just really excited for this opportunity.”
For a Long Island kid who grew up playing hockey and rooting for the Islanders, this week represents an opportunity for Hagens to make an impression while wearing the jersey of his favorite team.
Perhaps one day, there could even be two Hagens brothers playing in the NHL.
Top: Michael Hagens at Islanders developmental camp on Monday, June 29. (Credit: New York Islanders)
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