Watch Adam Sandler Announce Bruins’ NHL Draft Pick As Happy Gilmore
Sandler made the night more memorable for James Hagens
Boston Bruins fans received a Happy surprise to start the 2025 NHL Draft.
The Bruins chose 18-year-old center James Hagens with the No. 7 pick on Friday night, and fans learned the news from a special guest.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman introduced “an award-winning comedian, actor, golfer and life-long Bruins fan” to announce the pick. The video screen behind him then revealed Adam Sandler in a Bruins jersey.
Sandler announced the selection as Happy Gilmore, who wore a Bruins jersey throughout the iconic 1996 movie that’s releasing a sequel next month.
“My name is Happy Gilmore. How are you?” Sandler said in the video. “Proud to be part of the 2025 NHL Draft. The Boston Bruins select, from Boston College, James Hagens. Way to go, homie!”
Like his beloved character, Sandler pretended to ride his golf club like a horse as Hagens walked to the stage in Los Angeles.
“That’s it,” Sandler said. “We’re all proud of you, bro.”
The original “Happy Gilmore” is a decade older than Hagens, but he still enjoyed Sandler’s cameo.
“It was one of the coolest moments I’ve ever had,” Hagens said, via NHL.com. “I love Happy Gilmore, it’s my favorite movie – so seeing him up on the screen and you’re sitting there, you’re hoping he says your name, and he says Boston College… it’s something that doesn’t feel real. He’s a funny guy, so hopefully I can meet him in person one day.”
Boston will hope Hagens is a bit more skilled on the ice than Gilmore, whose skating never matched his powerful slapshot. Hagens tallied 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games for the Eagles.
