Jimmy Hayes built a memorable hockey career that took him from Boston College to the NHL, where he played seven seasons and became a familiar name to fans in Chicago, Florida, Boston and New Jersey.
Known by the nickname “Broadway,” Hayes was more than a professional hockey player. He was part of one of American hockey’s notable families, a Boston-area native who reached the NHL alongside his younger brother Kevin Hayes. His career was cut short in 2019, but his impact on teammates, friends and family continued long after he left professional hockey.
Hayes died suddenly on August 23, 2021, at the age of 31. His death shocked the hockey community and prompted his family to speak openly about substance use and addiction.
Early Years
Jimmy Hayes was born on November 21, 1989, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Growing up in the Boston area, hockey became central to his life from an early age. His family had deep connections to the sport, and Hayes eventually followed a path that led him to one of the country’s strongest college hockey programs.
He attended Boston College, where he developed into an important offensive player.
His college career reached its high point in 2010, when Boston College won the NCAA championship. Hayes finished his college career with 42 goals, helping establish himself as an NHL prospect.
NHL Draft
The Toronto Maple Leafs selected Hayes 60th overall in the 2008 NHL Draft.
Although Toronto held his draft rights, his eventual NHL career began elsewhere. Hayes continued developing before making his professional debut with the Chicago Blackhawks in December 2011.
His arrival in the NHL represented a major achievement for a player who had grown up in Massachusetts dreaming of reaching hockey’s highest level.
Chicago Start
Hayes made his NHL debut with Chicago during the 2011-12 season.
He remained with the Blackhawks through 2014, gaining experience as a right winger and establishing himself as a physical player who could contribute offensively.
His time in Chicago provided the foundation for the seven-season NHL career that followed.
Hayes ultimately played 334 regular-season NHL games, recording 54 goals and 55 assists.
Florida Breakthrough
Hayes moved to the Florida Panthers during his NHL career and enjoyed his strongest individual scoring season there.
During the 2014-15 campaign, he scored 19 goals, establishing a career high.
The season demonstrated his ability to contribute consistently at the NHL level and became the statistical peak of his professional career.
His size, skating ability and willingness to play a physical game made him a useful forward for multiple NHL teams.
Boston Return
For Hayes, joining the Boston Bruins was particularly meaningful.
He was returning to his hometown NHL organization after growing up in Massachusetts and playing his college hockey at Boston College.
From 2015 to 2017, Hayes appeared in 133 games for Boston, scoring 14 goals and adding 22 assists.
One of his most memorable moments came at TD Garden, where he recorded a hat trick for the Bruins.
Playing in Boston gave Hayes an opportunity to represent the community where his hockey journey had begun.
Final NHL Season
Hayes later joined the New Jersey Devils, playing during the 2017-18 season.
That marked the end of his NHL career. He subsequently continued playing professionally in the American Hockey League with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins during the 2018-19 season.
After leaving professional hockey, Hayes remained closely connected to the sport.
His personality and experience eventually found another outlet through podcasting.
Missin Curfew
After his playing career, Hayes became one of the co-founders and co-hosts of Missin Curfew, a hockey podcast created with former NHL players.
The show allowed Hayes to discuss hockey in a much more relaxed environment than the traditional broadcast setting.
His conversations reflected his experience as an NHL player while also showing his humor and personality away from the rink.
The podcast helped introduce Hayes to a new generation of hockey fans who knew him not only as a former player but also as a media personality.
Hockey Family
Hockey was deeply embedded in Hayes’ family.
His younger brother, Kevin Hayes, went on to become an NHL player himself. The brothers shared the rare experience of reaching the league after growing up in the same hockey environment.
The family’s hockey connections extended even further. Hayes was related to the Tkachuk family, including former NHL star Keith Tkachuk and his sons Matthew and Brady, both of whom became prominent NHL players.
That family network made professional hockey a particularly significant part of Hayes’ life.
His Death
Jimmy Hayes died unexpectedly at his home in Milton, Massachusetts, on August 23, 2021.
He was only 31.
A later toxicology investigation determined that his death resulted from acute intoxication involving fentanyl and cocaine and was ruled accidental.
The circumstances surrounding his death devastated his family and the hockey community.
His death also opened a difficult conversation about addiction and substance use.
A Family’s Decision
Hayes’ wife, Kristen Hayes, and his father, Kevin Sr., made the decision to publicly discuss the cause of death.
Their decision was deeply personal, but they hoped that being candid could help reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and encourage people to seek help.
Hayes left behind two young sons, Beau and Mac, making the loss especially painful for his family.
By speaking openly, his loved ones sought to turn an unimaginable tragedy into an opportunity to raise awareness.
Jimmy Hayes’ hockey story cannot be reduced to his final years.
He was an NCAA champion, an NHL player, a Boston Bruins forward, a brother, a father and a friend. His career included 334 NHL games, a 19-goal season in Florida and a memorable hat trick for his hometown Bruins.
Away from the rink, Missin Curfew gave him another platform to remain connected to the game he loved.
His sudden death at 31 left an enormous void, but the memories of his career and personality remain important to those who knew him.
For hockey fans, Jimmy Hayes hockey represents more than statistics. It is the story of a Boston kid who reached the NHL, played for four franchises, celebrated an NCAA championship and later used his voice to remain part of the sport.
