With Adam Sandler announcing his pick, Boston College’s James Hagens happy to be drafted by Bruins

Growing up on Long Island James Hagens wished nothing more than to be selected by the club he grew up rooting for the New York Islanders Though that dream failed to materialize at the NHL draft on Friday night the -year-old Boston College center was more than happy with the consolation Hagens is not only staying in Boston after being selected seventh overall by the Bruins he enjoyed the extra bonus of having his name released by Adam Sandler Just being on a crew that wants you the largest part I love Boston I love the area he noted after becoming the first U S -born competitor taken in the draft It s so special to have Adam Sandler make that pick It s something I ll never forget for the rest of my life It just so happens that Hagens lists his favorite movie as Happy Gilmore which features Sandler as a former hockey sportsman who turns his attention to golf Wearing a Bruins jersey Sandler publicized the pick on a video screen on the draft stage inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles As Hagens made his way up the aisle Sandler could be seen celebrating on screen in the background Sandler was one of numerous celebrities to introduce teams selections with the NHL going to a decentralized draft format in which its franchises made their picks from their own markets That s different from the past when all teams gathered inside the same facility to make their picks At -foot- Hagens had goals and assist s to finish fourth in points among college freshmen last season He scored five goals for America s gold medal-winning association at the world juniors championships The Islanders had the first pick and selected defenseman Matthew Schaefer Eventually a agreement The first picks in the draft went by without any movement Then Commissioner Gary Bettman petitioned Kris Letang s son Alex to press the red button that brought Arrangement Alert up on video screens The Pittsburgh Penguins traded No which the New York Rangers transferred to them earlier in the week to complete the J T Miller deal with Vancouver to the cross-state rival Philadelphia Flyers for Nos and The Flyers took big center Jack Nesbitt You were our guy all along general manager Daniel Briere informed him Celebrity pickers Bettman stated the first pick then turned the responsibilities over to everyone from a WWE wrestler to a series of NHL alumni Golfer Tony Finau did it for Utah Basketball Hall of Famer Charles Barkley for Philadelphia members of the Goo Goo Dolls for Buffalo and Meredith Gaudreau wife of late Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau for Columbus AP NHL https apnews com hub nhl