The entire National Hockey League was thrust into mourning upon the news of the tragic passing of former Boston Bruins forward Jimmy Hayes in August 2021.
Hayes, who passed away in August 2021, was recently remembered by his widow Kristen on social media with the special following caption:
“5 years… how? Celebrated you today (and always) with your favorite people (aka family), ending at the church we got married in. Not a day goes by where we don’t talk about you. We miss and love you always. Your videos will bring us laughter and joy forever.”
Hayes spent part of his NHL career as a member of the Bruins from 2015 through 2017.
Former Boston Bruins Forward Jimmy Hayes Passed Away In 2021
Hayes, who played three seasons of college hockey at Boston College, was originally selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the 2008 NHL Draft, but wouldn’t play a game with the franchise as he would be traded to the Chicago Blackhawks.
He then split time between the Blackhawks and their American Hockey League affiliate Rockford Ice Hogs before he was traded in the 2013-14 NHL season with Dylan Olsen, to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Kris Versteeg and Philippe Lefebvre.
After a career-high 19 goals in 72 games with the Panthers, he would be dealt to the Bruins in exchange for Reilly Smith and the contract of injured forward Marc Savard. He would spend the next two seasons with the Bruins, appearing in 133 games and scoring 15 goals with 19 assists.
After being bought out by the Bruins in the final year of his deal, he signed with the New Jersey Devils, and later spent the final season of his professional career in the Pittsburgh Penguins organization with the AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
During his NHL career, he appeared in 334 games, and scored 54 goals with 55 assists for 109 points. He also had 15 penalty minutes in two career Stanley Cup Playoff games, both with the Blackhawks.
The Bruins And Panthers Honored Hayes’ Memory In 2021
Upon their first regular season meeting in the 2021-22 NHL season at TD Garden, the Bruins and Panthers, two of the teams that Hayes played for, observed a moment of silence in his memory prior to the opening face-off.
Both teams also wore special warmup jerseys with the nameplates ‘HAYESY’ and ‘BROADWAY’, two nicknames that Hayes was called by his teammates and family/friends.
Emotional Tribute Posted To Late Bruins Forward Jimmy Hayes