Brandon Hagel Bio
Brandon Hagel (born August 27, 1998) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected 159th overall by the Buffalo Sabres in the 2016 NHL entry draft but did not sign with the team. Hagel made his NHL debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2020, following a junior career with the Red Deer Rebels of the Western Hockey League (WHL), where he set a franchise record for most assists. He has since played in the NHL and has represented Canada internationally, winning gold medals at both the 2021 IIHF World Championship and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Early Life and Background
Brandon Hagel was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and raised in Morinville, Alberta. He grew up idolizing Alexander Ovechkin, decorating his childhood bedroom with an Ovechkin theme. His father worked as a sales manager in the roofing industry, while his mother was employed in insurance. Hagel has two siblings: a brother named Tyler and a sister named Chelsea. During his junior hockey career, he contemplated stepping away from professional hockey to pursue a college education and become a teacher if he did not receive an NHL contract by December 2018. He had even registered for classes when he signed with the Chicago Blackhawks in October 2018, marking the start of his professional hockey career.
Path to Hockey
Hagel began his Bantam and Midget AAA ice hockey career with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). Despite recording 41 points in 33 games during the 2012–13 AMHL season, he was overlooked in the 2013 Western Hockey League (WHL) Bantam draft. He finished his Bantam and Midget career playing with the Whitecourt Wolverines, recording one goal and two assists in two games. On September 17, 2015, Hagel was signed as a free agent by the Red Deer Rebels in the WHL. In his rookie season, he helped lead the Rebels to the 2016 Memorial Cup against the London Knights and earned a final ranking of 104th overall by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau.
Brandon Hagel Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
Hagel made his NHL debut on March 11, 2020, the day before the NHL season was postponed due to COVID-19. Following the Rebels’ elimination from the 2019 WHL playoffs, he joined the Blackhawks’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, for eight games, recording one point. He attended the Blackhawks’ training camp before the 2018–19 NHL season but was assigned to the Rockford IceHogs to start the season. As a restricted free agent with the Blackhawks after the 2020–21 season, Hagel signed a three-year, $4.5 million contract extension on August 6, 2021.
Breakthrough (2022–Present)
In his third season with the Blackhawks, Hagel established new career highs with 21 goals and 16 assists for 37 points through 55 games. With Chicago out of playoff contention, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for Taylor Raddysh, Boris Katchouk, and two first-round picks. Hagel recorded four goals and three assists in 22 games with the Lightning during the remainder of the 2021–22 season. In the 2022 playoffs, he posted two goals and four assists for six points as the Lightning reached the Stanley Cup Final, where they were defeated by the Colorado Avalanche. In the 2022–23 season, Hagel achieved career highs with 30 goals and 34 assists for 64 points in 81 games. He continued to excel in the 2023–24 season, signing an eight-year contract extension worth $52 million before achieving a career-best 75 points across 82 regular season games.
Notable Works and Milestones
Brandon Hagel’s signature work includes his impressive performance during the 2024–25 season, where he recorded 35 goals and 55 assists for a career-high of 90 points. He finished second on the team in points, behind Art Ross Trophy winner Nikita Kucherov. Hagel’s contributions to Team Canada include winning gold medals at the 2021 IIHF World Championship and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off.
Brandon Hagel Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Brandon Hagel has received recognition for his contributions to the game, including various nominations and accolades for his performances in the NHL and international play.
Brandon Hagel Awards Won
Brandon Hagel has achieved significant milestones in his career, including winning gold medals with Team Canada at the IIHF World Championship and the 4 Nations Face-Off, showcasing his talent on an international stage.
Brandon Hagel Family
Brandon Hagel was born to a family that supported his hockey aspirations. His father worked in the roofing industry, and his mother was involved in insurance. He has a brother, Tyler, and a sister, Chelsea, who have been part of his supportive family background.
Personal Life
Brandon Hagel is an advocate for mental health awareness, having lost three family members to suicide since 2017. Since joining the Tampa Bay Lightning, he has actively participated in the NHL’s Hockey Talks initiative, demonstrating his commitment to raising awareness about mental health issues.
