Jimmy Hayes, a native son of Dorchester who won an NCAA title at Boston College before playing seven seasons in the NHL, passed away on Monday. He was just 31 years old.
According to the Boston Globe, Hayes was pronounced dead at his Milton home on Monday. A cause of death was not immediately available, although it is not considered suspicious.
Hayes, who played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils during his pro career, logged 334 games up in the NHL ranks, scoring 54 goals and posting 109 total points.
Hayes entrenched himself in the bedrock of the hockey community in Dorchester and the entire Boston area — establishing himself as a top-flight prospect at Dedham’s Noble and Greenough School before moving on to the U.S. National Team Development Program.
Sticking close to home upon entering college, Hayes established himself as a key cog at Boston College — helping the Eagles win an NCAA championship in 2010. During his three years at Chestnut Hill, Hayes scored 42 goals and recorded 81 points over 117 games.
The Boston Bruins are heartbroken by the passing of Dorchester native and former Bruin Jimmy Hayes. Our thoughts are with his wife Kristen, his sons Beau and Mac, and the entire Hayes family during this very difficult time. pic.twitter.com/j9W7CyxSGs
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) August 23, 2021
A second-round pick by the Maple Leafs in 2008, Hayes broke into the league with the Blackhawks in 2011. Hayes eventually played for his hometown Bruins after Boston traded for him in a deal with Florida back in July 2015. Hayes spent two seasons in Boston, scoring 15 goals over 133 games before ending his NHL career with the Devils in 2018.
The Hayes family has plenty of hockey roots throughout the Commonwealth, with Jimmy’s younger brother, Kevin, playing for the Flyers. The Hayes are also cousins with both Tom Fitzgerald and Keith Tkachuk and their extended hockey families.
Jimmy Hayes leaves behind his wife, Kristen, their two sons, Beau, 2, and Mac — who was born on May 5; four siblings and his parents, Shelagh and Kevin Sr.
Our deepest condolences to the entire Hayes family on this tragic news.