Michael Hagens’ journey from forward to strong USHL defenseman

Michael Hagens had a breakout year for the Chicago Steel in the USHL. (Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

Michael Hagens certainly has made the most of his first season with the United States Hockey League’s Chicago Steel after being named to the league’s All-Rookie second team.

The 5-foot-11, 170-pound defenseman’s 26 points ranked third among all USHL rookie defensemen. His nine goals led all Steel defensemen and placed second among USHL rookie defensemen. He also tallied 17 assists.

Hagens, a Hauppauge, N.Y., native, added two more assists in the Steel’s playoff run, which ended with a 3-1 series loss against the Youngstown Phantoms in the best-of-five USHL Eastern Conference finals.

It was an impressive performance for somebody who came to the team with not a ton of experience playing the position.

Due to an injury to a defenseman, Hagens was asked to move from forward to defense midway through his 2020-21 15-U season with Mount St. Charles Academy in Woonsocket, R.I., a place he said “really helped with my development,” and then played the position for his entire 16-U season in 2021-22.

“I kind of always wanted to make the switch,” said Hagens, who attended development camp with the Arizona Coyotes this summer. “I would go from playing forward to defense growing up. One of our defensemen got hurt and my coach asked me if I wanted to step back and play some ‘D’ and I said, ‘yeah,’ and we took it from there.”

Hagens previously played for the Long Island Royals in 2018-19 and 2019-20, which started off his career and was  “where I fell in love with the game.”

Hagens refers to himself as a “very mobile puck-moving defenseman who can make plays and also plays well in the defensive zone.”

“It’s about making the right plays at the right time,” Hagens said. “I like to join offensively when it’s right and continue to help progress the puck up the ice.”

Hagens’ point production improved as the season went on, which he felt was largely due to feeling more familiar and comfortable in the Steel’s system and in the league, as well as gaining more trust with the coaching staff.

“I feel for everyone, jumping from wherever they were to playing to the USHL, the speed of the game is something they are going to notice,” he said. “I felt it, but I was able to adapt to it quickly. It’s a fast-paced game and you have got to be able to think quickly and use your head in situations to make the best plays. I felt like I became more comfortable as the year went on, and I guess the points followed with that.

“I think you have to earn your place on any team you are playing for, but working for yourself and your teammates, and gaining trust with the coaches I feel like is a big thing,” he said. “The ice time will come along with that.”

“Michael’s growth has been incredible,” said Mike Garman, Steel head coach and general manager, in a press release on the Steel website. “His skating and puck skills are dynamic, and he has a brilliant feel for the game. He’s tough, competitive and hard to play against. He’s a rock defensively, he has great gapping and angling, and can quickly transition plays from defense to offense.”

“He’s amazing,” Hagens said of Garman. “He’s a great coach and person. He does a very good job of providing insight and delivering messages. He knows what each guy needs to do on the ice, is very knowledgeable and I feel like he does a great job of leading the team.”

Throughout the year, Hagens tried to improve his strength and put on weight to get ready for the next level.

“They have an amazing weight training facility,” Hagens said. “The skills that we get here are unbelievable. Chicago has provided me with everything that I need. I need to continue working on my footwork because that’s big for a defenseman as you move up in levels. It’s how well you can skate and can keep up with the speed of the game.”

Hagens committed to playing Division 1 hockey at Harvard, somewhere he has wanted to attend since he was little. The plan is to go back to Chicago for one more season in 2023-24.

“My dad, Michael, played college hockey at SUNY Brockport, so he got me into hockey when I was young,” he said. “A lot of the spring tournaments were in the New England area like Boston, so we would be in that area and go to different college hockey games, like Harvard. I just remember it being a fun experience so when I started talking to colleges and Harvard offered, it was a no-brainer. I have been on their campus. I love the area and it’s a great fit. I think they do a great job of developing NHL-level ready players and I’m looking forward to it.”