Pittsburgh Penguins

Former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward Jimmy Hayes dies

Jimmy Hayes, a former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins forward, has died.

Hayes, who won a hockey national championship at Boston College and went on to play seven seasons with four teams in the NHL, has died. He was 31. The cause of death was not immediately available, according to the Associated Press.

The Penguins issued a statement Monday, saying “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Penguins forward, Jimmy Hayes. The Penguins organization sends our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy’s family, friends, and former teammates during this extremely difficult time.”

He last played for the Wilkes-Barrie/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins, in 2018-19.