Brandon Hagel’s Path to the NHL and Team Canada – And What We Can Learn from It (On and Off the Ice)

Brandon Hagel’s journey to the NHL and Team Canada is one of perseverance, resilience, and a relentless work ethic. For players, parents, and coaches, his story is a masterclass in navigating the unpredictable road to professional hockey. He wasn’t a highly touted prospect, and he didn’t have an easy path, but he found a way to make it—and that’s something every hockey player should take note of.

But what makes his story even more powerful is that the lessons from his career don’t just apply to hockey. Whether in sports, business, academics, or life in general, Hagel’s approach offers a blueprint for success.

Early Years – Overlooked but Not Defeated

Born on August 27, 1998, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and raised in Morinville, Alberta, Hagel played his minor hockey with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers in the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL). He put up solid numbers—41 points in 33 games in 2012-13—but was still passed over in the 2013 WHL Bantam Draft. Why? Because of concerns about his size and physicality.

For a lot of young players, not getting drafted at that stage might feel like the end of the road. But Hagel didn’t see it that way. Instead, he kept working. He landed with the Whitecourt Wolverines in the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) for the 2014-15 season, where he continued to develop. The following year, he got his shot in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels.

As a rookie in Red Deer, he put up 47 points in 72 games. That’s a solid season, but nothing that was turning heads at the pro level just yet. But he wasn’t done climbing.

Real-World Lesson: Being Overlooked Doesn’t Mean You’re Not Good Enough

In hockey, like in life, getting passed over happens all the time. Maybe you applied for a job and didn’t get an interview. Maybe you didn’t make a team or were passed up for a promotion. Hagel’s story is proof that just because someone doesn’t recognize your value right away, it doesn’t mean you don’t have it. The key is to keep improving, keep showing up, and stay prepared for the next opportunity.

Drafted, Then Dropped – A Crossroads Moment

In 2016, the Buffalo Sabres took Hagel 159th overall in the NHL Draft. A dream come true? Maybe for a moment. But Buffalo never signed him, and by 2018, he was a free agent again.

At this point, a lot of players would start looking at a different career path. In fact, Hagel had already started enrolling in college courses as a backup plan. If he didn’t get an NHL contract by December, he was going to move on.

That’s when the Chicago Blackhawks came calling. On October 30, 2018, they offered him a three-year entry-level contract. He had been ready to walk away, but his persistence and work ethic had opened the door to another shot.

Real-World Lesson: You Can’t Control What Happens to You, But You Can Control How You React

Life is full of setbacks. You get laid off. You fail an exam. You lose a big client. It’s easy to get discouraged, but what separates successful people from the rest is how they respond. Hagel could have given up. Instead, he kept training, stayed mentally prepared, and was ready when Chicago came calling.

Breaking into the NHL

Hagel finally made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on March 11, 2020. Not long after, the pandemic hit and put everything on hold. But when the NHL returned for the 2020-21 season, Hagel showed up ready to prove himself. He played 52 games that year and put up 24 points. More importantly, he showed the kind of hard-nosed, high-energy play that made him valuable.

By March 2022, other teams had taken notice. The Tampa Bay Lightning acquired Hagel in a trade, and he quickly carved out a key role for himself. He became a critical piece in their playoff push that season, proving that his game translated to a championship-caliber team.

Real-World Lesson: Success Comes When Preparation Meets Opportunity

Hagel didn’t know when his break would come, but he was ready when it did. In any field—whether you’re an entrepreneur waiting for your business to take off or an artist hoping for a big break—success usually happens when you’ve put in the work long before anyone notices. Stay ready, so you don’t have to get ready.

Making It to Team Canada

Hagel’s perseverance paid off again when he was invited to play for Canada at the 2021 IIHF World Championship. It wasn’t an easy start for Canada in that tournament, but they rallied to win gold. That moment solidified Hagel’s place as a player who could compete at the highest levels of international hockey.

He later represented Canada at the 2024 IIHF World Championship and the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off, winning gold again. Not bad for a kid who was once overlooked in the Bantam Draft.

Real-World Lesson: If You Keep Pushing, Doors Will Open

It’s easy to get frustrated when success doesn’t happen overnight. But those who keep pushing, even when the odds are against them, often find that opportunities start to appear. The key is to keep showing up, keep improving, and trust that the work you put in will eventually pay off.

What We Can Learn from Hagel’s Journey

1. Resilience in the Face of Adversity

Hagel wasn’t a top prospect, and he faced rejection more than once. But instead of letting setbacks define him, he kept pushing forward. That’s something every player should take to heart—your draft status or early rejections don’t determine your future.

2. There’s More Than One Way to Success

Not getting drafted early doesn’t mean the dream is dead. Hagel took an unconventional path, working his way through Junior and getting signed as a free agent. There’s no single “right way” to make it—only the way that works for you.

3. Don’t Quit Too Soon

Hagel was a few months away from walking away from hockey entirely. If he had, he never would have made the NHL, played for Team Canada, or won a gold medal. Development isn’t always linear. Some people take longer to find their game, and that’s okay.

4. Work Ethic is Everything

Hagel’s success isn’t built on being the biggest, fastest, or most skilled player—it’s built on effort. Coaches should be hammering this message home: Work rate can separate you from other players.

5. Mental Toughness is Key

Every player will face adversity. Whether it’s getting cut, being overlooked, or dealing with injuries, the mental side of the game is just as important as the physical. Hagel could have packed it in multiple times, but he didn’t. That’s a mindset young players need to develop.

Final Thoughts

Brandon Hagel’s story is the kind that every young player, parent, and coach should pay attention to. It’s proof that success isn’t just about talent—it’s about persistence, adaptability, and having the right mindset.

If you’re a player, take a lesson from Hagel and never count yourself out. If you’re a parent, understand that your kid’s path might not be the straightest, but that doesn’t mean it won’t lead somewhere. And if you’re a coach, use his story as an example of why you should never write off a hardworking player too soon.

Hockey careers aren’t always built the way people expect. But if you’re willing to work, adjust, and keep pushing forward, there’s always a chance to make it—on the ice or in life. Just ask Brandon Hagel.

Ed Garinger is a seasoned hockey coach, mentor, and educator with over two decades of experience. A native of the Bruce Peninsula, he played minor and junior hockey before earning his BA and BEd from Nipissing University, where he also competed in varsity volleyball and extramural hockey.

Coaching since age 14, Ed has balanced his teaching career with an extensive coaching and development portfolio, working with players at all levels. He has coached in the Provincial Junior Hockey League, led youth and high school teams, and served as a learning facilitator for the OMHA. His experience includes elite programs like the OHL/OHF U15 and U16 camps, U17 Regional Camps, and Hockey Canada’s Skills Academy.

A Hockey Canada HP1-certified coach, USA Hockey-certified coach, and Chartered Professional Coach (ChPC), Ed is committed to ongoing professional development and continually seeks to expand his knowledge to better serve players and coaches. Now based in Orillia, he enjoys passing on his passion for hockey to the next generation.