Jimmy Hayes, the former Chicago Blackhawks winger, has died at age 31, the Hawks and Hayes’ alma mater, Boston College, announced Monday.
The organizations didn’t specify the cause of death.
The Hawks tweeted that Hayes’ “warm personality made an immediate impact in the locker room and with our fans. We’re proud of the memories he made in Chicago, including making his NHL debut in 2011. Sending our thoughts and prayers to his family.”
Hayes is survived by his wife, Kristen, and two young sons, Beau, 2, and Mac, who was born in May.
The Dorchester, Mass., native was drafted by the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second round in 2008. The Leafs traded him to the Hawks in 2010.
Hayes made his NHL debut on Dec. 30, 2011, against the Detroit Red Wings and then scored goals in back-to-back games against the Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers.
He had six goals and seven assists in 43 games in three seasons with the Hawks. He was traded to the Florida Panthers with Dylan Olsen for Kris Versteeg and Philippe Lefebvre in November 2013. Hayes also played for the Boston Bruins and New Jersey Devils in his seven-year career.
