Kevin Hayes is an American professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.
Born on May 8, 1992, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, Hayes stands at 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighs around 217 pounds.
Known for his size, skating ability, and two-way play, he has carved out a solid NHL career as a reliable center or winger who contributes offensively while providing leadership and locker-room presence.
Hayes was drafted 24th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft but chose to attend Boston College before turning pro.
Siblings
Kevin has one older brother, Jimmy Hayes, who was also a former NHL player.
Jimmy, a right winger, played seven seasons in the league with teams including the Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, and Boston Bruins before tragically passing away in August 2021 at the age of 31 due to a drug overdose.
The brothers shared a close bond, both following similar paths through Boston College and into the NHL, and they even faced each other on the ice in their first head-to-head matchup in 2014.
In addition to Jimmy, Kevin has three sisters: Genevieve, Eileen, and Justine.
Also Read: Travis Sanheim Siblings: Getting to Know Taylor Sanheim
Career
After being drafted by the Blackhawks, Hayes deferred his professional debut to play four seasons at Boston College, where he followed in his brother Jimmy’s footsteps.
In his senior year (2013-14), Hayes had a breakout campaign, recording 27 goals and 38 assists for 65 points in 40 games, earning Hockey East First Team All-Star honors, All-America recognition, and a spot as a Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist.
He turned pro with the New York Rangers in 2014-15, where he made an immediate impact by leading all NHL rookies in primary assists and finishing fifth in rookie scoring with 45 points in 79 games.
Hayes spent five productive seasons with the Rangers before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets at the 2019 deadline.
He later signed with the Philadelphia Flyers as a free agent in 2019 on a seven-year, $50 million contract, serving as a key offensive contributor and fan favorite during his time there.
In 2023-24, he was traded to the St. Louis Blues, and on June 29, 2024, he moved to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Through the 2025-26 season, Hayes has appeared in over 800 NHL games, accumulating 185 goals and 261 assists for 446 points.
His tenure with the Penguins has included periods of healthy scratches in 2025-26, but he has remained an influential veteran presence in the locker room during the team’s playoff push.
Accolades
Hayes earned Hockey East First Team All-Star honors and NCAA East All-America First Team recognition in 2014 during his dominant senior season at Boston College.
Internationally, he represented the United States alongside his brother Jimmy at the 2014 IIHF World Championship.
In the NHL, he has been a consistent scorer, reaching the 20-goal and 50-point plateaus multiple times, with a career-high of 54 points in 81 games during the 2022-23 season with Philadelphia.
Hayes was a finalist for the Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy in 2021-22 for his perseverance and dedication following personal loss.
He has also been selected to the NHL All-Star Game in 2023.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@Kahawatungu.com — this is our only official communication channel
