Jimmy Hayes, a seven-year veteran of the NHL and national champion at Boston College, died unexpectedly Monday morning. He was 31.
First responders and police arrived at Hayes’s Massachusetts home, where he was pronounced dead.
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Hayes was last seen in pictures with his wife, Kristen, posted to Instagram on Sunday, where the former right-winger can be seen at an arcade playing with his two sons, Beau, 2, and Mac, who was born May 5. The family celebrated Beau’s second birthday.
The cause of death is not yet clear, according to authorities, but Hayes’s death is not considered suspicious.
Hayes was drafted to the NHL in 2008, where he played with the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, and New Jersey Devils.
Boston College Hockey is heartbroken over the passing of Jimmy Hayes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hayes family. pic.twitter.com/2nL59U6Fgs
— BC Hockey (@BCHockey) August 23, 2021
Boston College, where Hayes was a member of the 2010 national championship team, wrote on its social media, “Boston College is heartbroken over the passing of Jimmy Hayes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hayes family.”
The Boston Bruins released a statement echoing Boston College’s sentiment.
“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,” the statement read.
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
Every NHL team Hayes was affiliated with posted a tribute to the player.
Hayes played 334 games in the NHL. He scored 54 goals and had 109 total points.
He had 15 goals and 33 points in 133 games for Boston, his hometown team.
In addition to his wife and children, Hayes is survived by four siblings: Genevieve, Eileen, Justine, and Kevin and his parents Shelagh and Kevin Sr.
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Kevin Hayes is a forward for the Philadelphia Flyers and played with Jimmy for Team USA at the 2014 World Championships.
