Jimmy Hayes played at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship for Team USA together with his brother Kevin.
photo: Andre Ringuette / HHOF-IIHF Images
Jimmy Hayes, a silver medallist at the 2007 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 World Championship with the U.S., died suddenly at his home in Milton, just outside Boston, on Monday 23 August. First responders arrived at his home where he was pronounced dead, and the police are not considering the circumstances suspicious. He was just 31 years old and is survived by a wife and two young children.
His younger brother, Kevin, plays for the Philadelphia Flyers, and the brothers played together for the United States at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk, Belarus.
“The Boston Bruins are heartbroken by the passing of Dorchester native and former Bruin Jimmy Hayes," the team said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with his wife Kristen, his sons, Beau and Mac, and the entire Hayes family during this very difficult time."
"His warm personality made an immediate impact in the locker room and with our fans," the Blackhawks said. "We're proud of the memories he made in Chicago."
Hayes was a promising player as a teenager. He spent two years with the USNTDP (2006-08), during which time he helped the U.S. to the gold medal game at the 2007 U18, where they lost to Russia, 6-5.
A year later, he represented the United States again, this time at the World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Canada, where the team finished 5th. Hayes had two goals in that tournament, including one against Canada in one of the greatest New Year’s Eve games played between the neighbouring rivals.
He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2008 Entry Draft. Hayes then moved to Boston College for three years, during which time he helped the Eagles win the national championship in 2010. The Leafs traded him to Chicago during his college career, and Hayes made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on 30 December 2011. For the next three years he played mostly for the team’s AHL affiliate in Rockford, and he was later traded to Florida, Boston, and New Jersey.
In 2014, the Panthers failed to make the playoffs, and Hayes jumped at the chance to play at the World Championship with his brother. The team finished 6th after losing to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.
He had his best year in Florida in 2013/14, scoring 19 goals and 35 points, and it was on that performance that his hometown Bruins acquired him and signed him to a three-year, $6.9-million contract. Two years later, though, the Bruins bought him out.
By 2019, it was clear Hayes wasn’t going to be an NHL regular anymore, so he retired and soon after started a podcast called “Missin Curfew” with two other retired NHers, Scottie Upshall and Shane O’Brien. Their last live show was 5 August.
At 6’5” Hayes was a big man but not a fighter. The right winger played 334 regular-season games in the NHL and was, “known for his character and kindness around the league,” the Leafs said in a statement.
Cause of death has not yet been made public, but the death of such a young man with a wonderful family has sent shock waves through the tight-knit hockey community. The IIHF extends its condolences to the Hayes family.
His younger brother, Kevin, plays for the Philadelphia Flyers, and the brothers played together for the United States at the 2014 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Minsk, Belarus.
“The Boston Bruins are heartbroken by the passing of Dorchester native and former Bruin Jimmy Hayes," the team said in a statement. "Our thoughts are with his wife Kristen, his sons, Beau and Mac, and the entire Hayes family during this very difficult time."
"His warm personality made an immediate impact in the locker room and with our fans," the Blackhawks said. "We're proud of the memories he made in Chicago."
Hayes was a promising player as a teenager. He spent two years with the USNTDP (2006-08), during which time he helped the U.S. to the gold medal game at the 2007 U18, where they lost to Russia, 6-5.
A year later, he represented the United States again, this time at the World Junior Championship in Ottawa, Canada, where the team finished 5th. Hayes had two goals in that tournament, including one against Canada in one of the greatest New Year’s Eve games played between the neighbouring rivals.
He was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round of the 2008 Entry Draft. Hayes then moved to Boston College for three years, during which time he helped the Eagles win the national championship in 2010. The Leafs traded him to Chicago during his college career, and Hayes made his NHL debut with the Blackhawks on 30 December 2011. For the next three years he played mostly for the team’s AHL affiliate in Rockford, and he was later traded to Florida, Boston, and New Jersey.
In 2014, the Panthers failed to make the playoffs, and Hayes jumped at the chance to play at the World Championship with his brother. The team finished 6th after losing to the Czech Republic in the quarter-finals.
He had his best year in Florida in 2013/14, scoring 19 goals and 35 points, and it was on that performance that his hometown Bruins acquired him and signed him to a three-year, $6.9-million contract. Two years later, though, the Bruins bought him out.
By 2019, it was clear Hayes wasn’t going to be an NHL regular anymore, so he retired and soon after started a podcast called “Missin Curfew” with two other retired NHers, Scottie Upshall and Shane O’Brien. Their last live show was 5 August.
At 6’5” Hayes was a big man but not a fighter. The right winger played 334 regular-season games in the NHL and was, “known for his character and kindness around the league,” the Leafs said in a statement.
Cause of death has not yet been made public, but the death of such a young man with a wonderful family has sent shock waves through the tight-knit hockey community. The IIHF extends its condolences to the Hayes family.