Avery Hayes: A Story Still Being Written
Avery Hayes received his NHL debut on February 5th, 2026, and has already made it a memorable one for himself and his family.
Hayes' story is still being written, and it has only just begun.
Before starting in the professional realm, Hayes played four seasons in the Ontario Hockey League, where he played for the Hamilton Bulldogs and the Peterborough Petes. During his time with the Bulldogs, Hayes played in a total of 205 games and tallied 90 goals and 77 assists. During his last season with the Bulldogs, he went on to the post-season with the team and assisted with the road to winning the OHL Championship that year.
On January 7th, 2023, Hayes, in addition to Gavin White, was traded from the Bulldogs to the Peterborough Petes for Nick Lardis, Sahil Panwar, Flint’s third-round OHL Priority Selection pick in 2023, and a conditional sixth-round pick in 2026. During his short time with the Petes, Hayes dressed in 32 games and tallied 16 goals and 20 assists. Hayes once again went on to the postseason and posted a second championship in back-to-back years. He played in 38 postseason games and tallied 26 goals and 27 assists.
After being undrafted, Hayes started his professional career in the 2023-2024 season when he was signed to an AHL contract in June of 2023 with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. During his first season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Hayes dressed in 29 games and notched six goals and three assists. He was sent to the Wheeling Nailers for one game and tallied no points in that game. In his second year on his AHL contract, Hayes dressed in 60 games and scored 23 goals and 19 assists.
On March 13th, 2025, Hayes earned and signed a two-year NHL entry-level deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
During the course of the 2025-2026 season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, Hayes dressed in 31 games and scored 13 goals and 10 assists. In his NHL debut, Hayes scored two goals in the first period, on his first shift and first shot, and joined Pittsburgh Penguins history by becoming the third player to score multiple times in their debut. He has joined Jake Guentzel and Rob Brown in those ranks. Hayes is a playmaker with his puck-handling and shooting ability, and is noticeable when he is not on the ice.
Welcome to the show, Avery Hayes!
- Samantha Wismer/Olde City Sports Network
- Photo Credit: Melissa Moleyneux/Olde City Sports Network
