NEWSLETTER
Following the publishing of yesterday’s Blackhawks Bullets, the hockey world came to learn of the devastating news that former Chicago Blackhawk Jimmy Hayes had suddenly passed away at the age of 31. Hayes had last played professional hockey in the AHL during the 2018-19 season and had carved out what looked to be a nice post-playing career life for himself with a beautiful family and a successful budding hockey podcast. His passing shook the hockey world for a player so young and so revered everywhere he played.
• So many took to social media yesterday to send their thoughts, prayers, love, memories, and condolences to Hayes’ family…
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jimmy Hayes.
His 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❤️ pic.twitter.com/gP8357luB9
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) August 23, 2021
• Hayes played parts of three seasons with the Blackhawks and the IceHogs to begin his professional career.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jimmy Hayes.
He made an incredible impact on our Stateline community over parts of four seasons from 2010-14 and our thoughts and prayers are with his family. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ZSVA6Uw1UU
— Rockford IceHogs (@goicehogs) August 23, 2021
• More from around the hockey world, commemorating Hayes’ impact in his short time on this earth…
Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald on his cousin, the late Jimmy Hayes: pic.twitter.com/BgVdDGes5P
— Matt Porter (@mattyports) August 24, 2021
Someone we will miss for a lifetime. I’m so grateful for all the memories I have with Jimmy but I will always wish there were more around the corner. Sending love and strength to the Hayes family and especially Kristen and the boys. Love you Jimmy, Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/F85rSoFpik
— Kevin Shattenkirk (@shattdeuces) August 23, 2021
https://twitter.com/TKACHUKycheese_/status/1429918678632521729?s=20
https://twitter.com/stefannoesen/status/1429865422766149639?s=20
At loss of words when I first came to Boston you were the first guy to take me under your wing. Your smile, laugh, and personality was contagious it lit up the entire room. You will be missed dearly rest easy Broadway. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hayes family ❤️ pic.twitter.com/3yRKlE75kR
— Frank Vatrano (@Frank_Vatrano) August 23, 2021
You always went out of your way to make me and everyone else feel special from the time I met you when I was 9 years old. Every time we hung out I knew I was going to laugh no matter what was going on because of how positive you were. My heart breaks for your whole family.
— Chris Wagner (@chriswags23) August 23, 2021
RIP Jimmy Hayes. One of my favorite teammates ever
— Patrick Kane (@88PKane) August 24, 2021
• You can clearly see the kind of person and teammate that Hayes was in his career. He will truly be missed around the greater hockey community and especially the hockey community in the Boston area, where he grew up, won a National Championships, played with the Bruins, and was currently living.
A personality that touched the hockey community.@mattyports on Jimmy Hayes. pic.twitter.com/itCdIaBXgm
— NHL Network (@NHLNetwork) August 24, 2021
• 31 years old. Man…
• We will shift gears now to more news around the hockey world, but remember to tell those important to you that you love them every chance you get.
• A perfect pick-me-up punished today on the NHL’s Youtube page: The Top 10 Patrick Kane plays from the 2020-21 season.
• What was your favorite Patrick Kane play of last season? Mine was easy to pick…
OF COURSE PATRICK KANE'S 400TH IS NASTY pic.twitter.com/sozmaqqR6d
— Blackhawks Talk (@NBCSBlackhawks) March 1, 2021
• Kane is going to be relied upon heavily this season by the Blackhawks. No surprise after finishing as the team’s leading scorer last season and finishing in the top five of the league in scoring. At 32, Kane looks to still be in his prime and will again be the offensive catalyst for Chicago in 2021-22. With the bounce-back season that Alex DeBrincat had last year, the continued progression of the young forwards group, and the expected return of Jonathan Toews, the hope is that Kane will not have to shoulder the brunt of the scoring responsibility, although he’ll likely lead the team again this season anyway.
• In other news around the league, mark down the Vancouver Canucks and their AHL affiliate the Abbotsford Heat as team that will require proof of a full COVID-19 vaccination to attend games.
The Vancouver Canucks and their new AHL affiliate, the Abbotsford Heat, will require anyone attending games this season to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination.https://t.co/IEQhJWSOOJ
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) August 24, 2021
• Vancouver adds to a growing list of Canadian NHL and other professional sports teams to announce a required proof of vaccination to attend events. Expect to see it continue across all of the major sports leagues in North America.
• Yesterday, the NHL announced the full preseason schedule for the league, set to begin on September 25.
The 2021-22 #NHLPreseason begins Saturday, Sept. 25.
Schedule: https://t.co/FTFW8nHuNX pic.twitter.com/QnfoQpTriS
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) August 23, 2021
• The Blackhawks open their preseason schedule on September 29 at the United Center against the Detroit Red Wings.
• Finally, today is the third game of the preliminary round of the IIHF Women’s World Championships for Team USA. After back-to-back 3-0 wins over Switzerland and Finland, the U.S. are tied atop their group and take on R.O.C. (Russian) today at 1:00 p.m. CT on NHL Network.
https://twitter.com/IIHFHockey/status/1429987862905303041?s=20
• A quick reminder that we pushed the Monday Mailbag back a day after the news of Jimmy Hayes’ passing, so today we will be posting the #BNHawksMailbag segment. You still have time to get in any last-minute questions here…
We pushed the #BNHawksMailbag from yesterday to today.
So one last chance to get your #Blackhawks questions in for today’s Monday Mailbag (on a Tuesday) post!— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) August 24, 2021
• That will do it for today. Hope you all enjoy your Tuesday!
