Jimmy Hayes, former Maple Leafs draft pick and NHL veteran, has died at age 31 - Toronto Star

Jimmy Hayes, a former second-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs, died unexpectedly at age 31.

The Boston native was found dead at his home in Milton, Mass., on Monday morning. The cause of death wasn’t immediately known, but first reports from police at the scene said it was not being treated as suspicious.

Known for an infectious smile and positive attitude, Hayes was drafted 60th overall by the Leafs in 2008 but never played for them. He went on to play 334 NHL games with Chicago, Florida, Boston and New Jersey.

The father of two and brother of Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes notched 54 goals and 109 points. He was also a cousin of NHLers Matthew and Brady Tkachuk.

Before the NHL, Hayes starred with Boston College from 2008-11 and won a national championship in 2010.

Tributes for the six-foot-five winger poured in from around the hockey world, where he was known for having a “smile on his face” all the time and a positive influence in the dressing room.

“Known for his character and kindness around the league, Jimmy will be dearly missed by all,” the Leafs said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the entire Hayes family during this difficult time.”

Hayes last played professionally in 2019 and started a podcast called “Missin Curfew” in August 2020, with former NHLers Shane O’Brien and Scottie Upshall. The last episode was posted Aug. 5.

Hayes broke into the NHL with Chicago, which acquired him from the Leafs in June 2010 for the 43rd pick in that year’s draft. Chicago traded him to the Panthers in 2013, and Hayes posted his best NHL season — 19 goals and 35 points in 72 games — the following year with the Panthers. That caught the eye of his hometown Bruins, who acquired him for Reilly Smith and the contract for Marc Savard.

Hayes signed a three-year, $6.9-million (U.S.) contract in July 2015. He was bought out two years later and finished his pro career with Pittsburgh’s AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

Hayes leaves wife Kristen and two sons: two-year-old Beau, and Mac, who was born May 5.

An Instagram post by his wife on Sunday showed the family at an arcade, playing games and celebrating Beau’s second birthday.

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2021-08-23 18:50:52Z
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