Background
Kevin Hayes grew up with older brother Jimmy Hayes, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Kevin Hayes grew up with older brother Jimmy Hayes, in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Hayes was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2010 National Hockey League Entry Draft, but was not signed to a professional contract until 2014 by New New York Amateur
Hayes played for Nobles in high school before joining the Boston College in the National Collegiate Athletic Association"s Hockey East conference between 2011 and 2014. Hayes nearly doubled his point production from his first three seasons scoring 27 goals, and 38 assists for 65 points.
He earned a top ten nomination for the Hobey Baker Award and garnered a reputation as a large, two-way player with a prolific shot and power play effectiveness.
Hayes was also named Most Valuable Player of the 2014 Beanpot Tournament. Professional
The rights the Chicago Blackhawks held to Hayes (by virtue of drafting him) expired on August 15, 2014, without Hayes having signed with the team
On August 16, Hayes became an unrestricted free agent, whereupon he subsequently signed with the New York Rangers on an entry-level contract on August 20. As a result of his signing elsewhere, the Blackhawks received a 2nd round compensatory pick in the 2015 Draft.
However, he emerged as a star player in his final, senior year, where he played on a line with current Calgary Flames players Bill Arnold and Johnny Gaudreau, the latter of which was the Hobey Baker Award winner in 2014. On October 19, 2014, Hayes scored his first career National Hockey League goal with the Rangers in a 4–0 win over the San Jose Sharks.
During his first three seasons in the National Collegiate Athletic Association, he produced small but effective numbers, recording 17 goals and 50 assists for 67 points over that time, and was a member of the 2012 National Championship team
