We Got it from Here, Jimmy- By: Sam Wismer

Credit: NHL.com

Monday, August 23rd, 2021, the world of hockey took another heartbreaking loss. Jimmy Hayes unexpectedly passed away at the young age of 31 years old.

Jimmy had a lengthy hockey career. In 2005, he was a member of the U.S. National U-17 team in the Four Nations Tournament that was hosted in Russia. In 2006 he was then selected to the U.S. U-17 Select Team and played in the U-18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament that was hosted in the Czech Republic. He was drafted 1st overall during the 2006 USHL Futures Draft by the Ohio Junior Blue Jackets. Jimmy signed a letter of intent with Boston College during the Fall of 2008. He played 3 years for Boston and posted 81 points, consisting of 42 goals and 39 assists.

In 2008, Jimmy was selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs during the 2nd round and was drafted 60th overall. During his time, he played with the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils. In June of 2010, Jimmy was traded to the Chicago Blackhawks. In January of 2012, he tallied his first NHL goal against Devan Dubnyk of the Edmonton Oilers at the time. 3 days later he posted his 2nd goal against Ilya Bryzgalov of the Flyers.

In the 2013-2014 season, Jimmy was traded again to the Florida Panthers. He agreed in 2014 to a 1 year, 1 way contract. He played a full NHL season in the 14-15 season. He tallied 19 goals and 35 points during the course of 72 games. In July of 2015, he was traded to Boston. He inked a 3 year deal worth $2.3 million dollars a year. He was bought out from his contract in 2017. In October of 2017, Jimmy signed a 1 year, 1 way contract with the New Jersey Devils. In July of 2018, He once again signed a 1 year, 2 way contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. During training camp that season, Jimmy was assigned to the AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.

Jimmy was a family man and the entire family has roots deep in the sport of hockey. Jimmy is the older brother to Philadelphia Flyer, Kevin Hayes. He is also cousins with former NHL players Tom Fitzgerald and Keith Tkachuk. Both Tkachuck’s sons Matthew and Brady play in the NHL. Fitzgerald’s sons Ryan, whom currently plays for the AHL Affiliate of the Philadelphia Flyers, the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, and Casey Fitzgerald is a Buffalo Sabres Prospect. Upon his decision to retire from the sport, Jimmy started a podcast called Missin Curfew, with former players and friends Shane O’Brien and Scottie Upshall.

From all of us here at Olde City Sports Network, our thoughts and prayers are continuing to be with Jimmy’s wife Kristen, his two sons Beau and Mac, brother Kevin, and the rest of the Hayes/Tkachuk/and Fitzgerald family. You will never be forgotten Jimmy.

-Samantha Wismer/ Olde City Sports Network