3 locals picked for USA Hockey’s All-American Game

James Hagens headlines the New York and New Jersey natives at the 2024 All-American Game. (Rena Laverty/USA Hockey)

USA Hockey’s All-American Game is designed to showcase top prospects eligible for the 2024 NHL Draft. The matchup will take place on Jan. 15 in Plymouth, Mich.

Three locals were selected from New York and New Jersey, with one of the three not being eligible to be taken in the NHL Draft until 2025.

Ironically enough, that player is slated to go somewhere in the top five come the 2025 NHL draft.

That player is James Hagens, who will play for Team White. The Hauppauge, N.Y., native is in the midst of an outstanding year with the U.S. National Team Development Program’s U18 team, scoring 13 goals and totaling 39 points in 24 games. He’s a late ’06, which moves his draft eligibility to 2025.

Hagens committed to Boston College earlier this year after a strong U17 year with the NTDP, posting 26 goals and 66 points in 43 games. Hagens also earned an invite to the preliminary roster for the World Junior team but didn’t make the cut.

Joining Hagens on Team White will be John Mustard (Oradell, N.J.). The Providence College commit is having a standout first season in the USHL with Waterloo. In 24 games, Mustard has 14 goals and 28 points. Just last season, Mustard was a star with the North Jersey Avalanche’s 16U squad, scoring 56 goals and totaling 117 points in 65 games.

Opposing Hagens and Mustard will be goalie Jack Parsons with Team Blue. The Ithaca, N.Y., native is committed to Providence College and is in his U18 season with the NTDP. Through 15 games, he has a 4.05 goals-against average and an .852 save percentage.