If Hagens lights it up and the Bruins decide his AHL stay will be temporary, they’ll have to end his ATO and officially sign him to that aforementioned ELC in order to play him at the NHL level. The ATO provides both sides with the added flexibility of not being an official contract of any kind, meaning Hagens won’t lose his NCAA eligibility and could, in theory, end up back at Boston College next season. The Bruins used the ATO route with Charlie McAvoy back in 2017, when he joined Providence on an ATO after Boston University’s season ended. McAvoy’s AHL stay was brief, as he ended up called up to the Bruins (and playing in the playoffs) due to a depleted defense corps. As part of the ATO, Hagens will report to Providence, where he’s expected to practice with the P-B’s on Tuesday morning.

Source: New York Times March 24, 2026 12:02 UTC