James Hagens, Boston College get top seed in NCAA men’s hockey championship

One of the candidates to go first overall in this year’s NHL Draft will be in the spotlight at the NCAA men’s hockey championship.

The Boston College Eagles, featuring draft-eligible centre James Hagens, were given the No. 1 overall seed in the 16-team tournament in Sunday’s draw.

Boston College opens Friday against first-time NCAA championship team Bentley in the Manchester, N.H, Regional.

Boston College has a loaded roster. Washington Capitals 2023 first-round pick Ryan Leonard and New York Rangers 2023 first-round pick Gabe Perreault lead the team in scoring.

Hagens, third in scoring, is expected to battle Erie Otters defenceman Matthew Schaefer, Saginaw Spirit forward Michael Misa, Moncton Wildcats forward Caleb Desnoyers and Brampton Steelheads forward Porter Martone to be the No. 1 pick in the NHL Draft, June 27-28.

Michigan State, Maine and Western Michigan are the other No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tourney.

Defending national champion Denver is a third seed in the Manchester Regional and could face Boston College in the national quarterfinal round in a rematch of last year’s NCAA final.

UConn and Bentley are the two newcomers in the tournament.

The Frozen Four is April 10-12 in St. Louis.

Here is this week’s regional schedule:

TOLEDO, OHIO REGIONAL

Semifinals, Thursday
No. 2 Boston University vs. No. 3 Ohio State, 2 p.m
No. 1 Michigan State vs. No. 4 Cornell, 5:30 p.m.

Final, March 29
Semifinal winners

FARGO, N.D. REGIONAL

Semifinals, Thursday
No. 1 Western Michigan vs. No. 4 Minnesota State, 5 p.m.
No. 2 Minnesota vs. No. 3 UMass, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2

Final, Saturday
Semifinal winners

MANCHESTER, N.H. REGIONAL

Semifinals, Friday
No. 1 Boston College vs. No. 4 Bentley, 2 p.m.
No. 2 Providence vs. No. 3 Denver, 5:30 p.m.

Final, Sunday
Semifinal winners

ALLENTOWN, Pa. REGIONAL

Semifinals, Friday
No. 2 UConn vs. No. 3 Quinnipiac, 5 p.m.
No. 1 Maine vs. No. 4 Penn State, 8:30 p.m.

Final, Sunday
Semifinal winners