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Hauppauge native Michael Hagens remembers attending Islanders games at Nassau Coliseum with his family while growing up on Long Island.

His father would bring mini hockey sticks so Michael, his younger brother James, a 2025 first-round pick of the Boston Bruins, and their friends could have a little extra fun while watching their beloved Islanders.

“We would be running around slapping the mini-sticks around the Coliseum,” said Hagens, a 21-year-old former Boston College defenseman spending this week at Islanders Development Camp at Northwell Health Ice Center in East Meadow.

Hagens, who was smiling from ear to ear following Monday morning’s practice, grew up as a huge fan of former Islanders captain John Tavares.

That may not be the most popular admission in Islanders Country these days, but Hagens was no different from many young fans who considered Tavares their favorite player.