ANNOUNCEMENT: Blackhawks recruit top prospect to join organization

At just 19 years old, Hayes has already showcased a lot of talent, impressing scouts with his performance in the OHL.

Throughout the season, he demonstrated his scoring touch while amassing an impressive total of 76 points across 55 games, including 37 goals and 39 assists. His stellar play continued into the playoffs, where he contributed 16 points in 11 games for the Soo Greyhounds.

Hayes, a third-round pick (66th overall) in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blackhawks in April 2023.
Standing tall at 6-foot-2 and weighing 176 pounds, Hayes brings both size and skill to the IceHogs lineup.

Notably, Hayes played a pivotal role in Team USA's triumph at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he played a key role in securing the gold medal, contributing two assists in seven games.