Jimmy Hayes’ wife, Kristen Hayes, has continued to honor the memory of the former NHL player since his sudden death in 2021. Their marriage lasted only a few years, but together they built a family with two sons, Beau and Mac.
For Kristen, remembering Hayes has become part of raising their children and preserving the connection he had with his family, friends and the hockey community. She has also remained involved in charitable efforts created in his honor.
Who Was Kristen?
Kristen Hayes, formerly Kristen Cavalleri, was Jimmy Hayes’ wife and the mother of their two children.
The couple kept much of their relationship away from the constant attention that often surrounds professional athletes. Their family life became especially important after Hayes retired from the NHL and began exploring opportunities outside professional hockey.
Kristen’s role became even more significant after his death, when she was left to raise their young sons while navigating an enormous personal loss.
Their Wedding
Jimmy and Kristen married in July 2018.
Their wedding took place at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a historic coastal property known for its distinctive architecture and expansive grounds.
The ceremony marked the beginning of their married life and came after Hayes had established himself as an NHL player with experience for the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils.
For the Boston-area native, marrying Kristen near his hometown added another meaningful connection to Massachusetts.
Their First Son
The couple welcomed their first child, Beau Hayes, in 2019.
Becoming a father came during an important transition in Jimmy’s life. His NHL career had already ended, and he was beginning to explore new opportunities while remaining closely connected to hockey.
Fatherhood became an important part of his identity away from professional sports.
Friends and family have remembered Hayes as someone who cherished his role as a father, making the loss even more difficult for those closest to him.
Mac’s Birth
Kristen and Jimmy welcomed their second son, Mac, in May 2021.
His birth came only a few months before the tragedy that would change the family forever.
When Jimmy died on August 23, 2021, Mac was approximately three months old.
The timing meant that Mac would grow up with only limited memories of his father, making the stories, photographs and memories preserved by Kristen and the wider Hayes family particularly important.
Jimmy’s Death
Jimmy Hayes died unexpectedly at his home in Milton, Massachusetts, on August 23, 2021.
He was just 31 years old.
A subsequent toxicology examination determined that his death was caused by acute intoxication involving fentanyl and cocaine and was ruled accidental.
His death stunned the hockey world and devastated Kristen, their two children and the extended Hayes family.
The tragedy also sparked conversations about addiction and the importance of reducing the stigma associated with substance use.
Speaking About His Death
Kristen and Jimmy’s father, Kevin Hayes Sr., made the difficult decision to publicly discuss the circumstances surrounding his death.
The family hoped that being honest about the cause could help others understand the dangers of addiction and encourage people struggling with substance use to seek support.
Rather than allowing the circumstances to remain surrounded by speculation, they chose openness as part of Jimmy’s legacy.
That decision has become one of the most significant ways the family has sought to give meaning to his death.
Raising Their Sons
Since Jimmy’s passing, Kristen has remained focused on raising Beau and Mac.
The boys have grown up with their father’s memory as an important part of their family story. Kristen has shared moments from their childhood and milestones, helping ensure that Jimmy remains present in their lives even though he is no longer there physically.
For a young family dealing with such a sudden loss, preserving memories can become especially meaningful.
Photographs, stories and traditions allow children to learn about a parent they may otherwise remember only through fragments of early childhood.
The 11 Foundation
Jimmy’s family has also worked to turn his legacy into charitable action.
The 11 Foundation was established in his honor with a focus on helping young people and supporting mental health-related initiatives.
Kristen has been involved alongside Jimmy’s brother Kevin Hayes and other members of the Hayes family.
The foundation reflects values associated with Jimmy both during and after his hockey career, particularly his connection to young athletes and his community.
Rather than simply commemorating him, the organization’s work provides a way for his name to remain connected with tangible support for others.
Memorial Golf Tournament
One of the family’s ongoing traditions is the Jimmy Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament.
The event brings together friends, family members, hockey personalities and supporters while raising money for charitable causes connected to the 11 Foundation.
Kristen’s involvement helps keep the event tied to the family Jimmy left behind.
Kevin Hayes has also played an important role in preserving his brother’s memory, making the tournament a yearly opportunity for people who knew Jimmy to gather and celebrate his life.
A Lasting Memory
Jimmy Hayes’ legacy extends far beyond his seven NHL seasons.
He was a Boston College national champion, an NHL player, a podcast host, a brother and, most importantly to Kristen, a husband and father.
His two sons were still very young when he died, which has made the family’s efforts to preserve his memory particularly important.
Kristen has continued to give Beau and Mac opportunities to know the man their father was through family stories and traditions.
Jimmy Hayes’ wife was Kristen Hayes, formerly Kristen Cavalleri. The couple married in July 2018 at Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Massachusetts and became parents to two sons, Beau and Mac.
Their younger son was only around three months old when Jimmy died suddenly in August 2021.
Since then, Kristen has focused on raising their children and honoring Jimmy’s memory. Alongside Kevin Hayes and the rest of the Hayes family, she has also supported the 11 Foundation and the annual Jimmy Hayes Memorial Golf Tournament.
Through those efforts, Jimmy’s name continues to have a purpose beyond hockey. His career remains part of his story, but the legacy Kristen is helping build is centered on family, community, mental health and giving young people opportunities.
