MILTON, Massachusetts (AP) – Jimmy Hayes, who won a national hockey championship at Boston College and played in the NHL for seven seasons, has died. He was 31.
A law enforcement official said medics were called to Hayes’ home in suburban Boston on Monday, where he was pronounced dead. Further details were not disclosed.
Hayes, a 6-foot-5 right-winger, was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round (60th overall) in 2008. Two years later he helped Boston College to its second straight national title, a total of 13 goals and 22 assists in 42 games in its sophomore year. He made his NHL debut in December 2011 after a trade with the Chicago Blackhawks.
“His warm personality was immediately noticeable in the locker room and with our fans,” the Blackhawks said in a statement. “We are proud of the memories he made in Chicago.”
Boston College said on Twitter it was “unhappy” with death.
The younger brother Kevin Hayes is a center for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Jimmy Hayes played 334 games in the NHL and had 54 goals and 55 assists. He also played for the Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils.
He last played professionally in 2019 and co-hosted a podcast called “Missin Curfew”.
Hayes was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts. In addition to his wife and children, Hayes leaves four siblings and his parents, Shelagh and Kevin Hayes Sr.
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