Kevin Hayes

Kevin Patrick Hayes (born May 8, 1992) is an American professional ice hockey center currently playing for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Hayes was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the first round, 24th overall, in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, but was not signed to a professional contract by the Rangers until 2014. His older brother Jimmy Hayes plays for the Boston Bruins.

Amateur
Hayes played for Nobles in high school before joining the Boston College in the NCAA's Hockey East conference between 2011 and 2014. During his first three seasons in the NCAA, 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. 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. 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 MVP 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 second round compensatory pick in the 2015 draft.

On October 19, 2014, Hayes scored his first career NHL goal with the Rangers in a 4–0 win over the San Jose Sharks.

International play
Hayes, along with his older brother Jimmy and his former Eagles linemate Johnny Gaudreau, played for Team USA at the 2014 IIHF World Championship in Minsk, Belarus.

Personal life
Hayes, along with his brother Jimmy, are cousins with former NHL players Tom Fitzgerald and Keith Tkachuk, as well as Fitzgerald's sons and fellow Boston College Eagles Ryan Fitzgerald, who was drafted by the Boston Bruins, and Casey Fitzgerald, who is currently a freshman at BC.