Former Flyer Kevin Hayes announces his retirement after 12 NHL seasons
Hayes, 34, spent four seasons with the Flyers from 2020-23 and earned his only All-Star nod during his time in Philly.
After 12 seasons and 805 NHL regular-season games, former Flyer Kevin Hayes announced his retirement from professional hockey on Monday.
Hayes, who signed with Russian club Ak Bars Kazan last month, played just five games there before electing to call it a career.
“I have decided to end my hockey career,” the 34-year-old Hayes said in a statement issued by the Kontinental Hockey League. “I can no longer play at the level I am capable of because my body does not allow me to perform at my best. And I cannot accept not being in top form.”
Hayes, who was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks but never played for the franchise, tallied 185 goals and 446 points in the NHL with the New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, Flyers, St. Louis Blues, and Pittsburgh Penguins. He posted six 40-point seasons in his first nine years, including a 54-point campaign with the Flyers in 2022-23 when he was named an All-Star for the first and only time in his career.
Signed to a seven-year, $50 million contract in 2019, Hayes experienced an up-and-down four years in Philly, with the highlights being a deep playoff run in the 2020 COVID bubble and his All-Star nod. The centerman averaged 16 goals and 39 points during his time with the Flyers while dealing with a plethora of injuries, as well as the tragic death of his brother and former NHLer, Jimmy Hayes, in 2021. After being traded by the Flyers to St. Louis in 2023, Hayes spent the past two seasons with the Penguins.
Hayes, who primarily played in a middle-six center role during his career, was also a regular contributor on the power play and penalty kill. He won the Gene Hart Memorial Trophy for being the Flyer who displayed the most “heart” after the 2019-20 season and served as an alternate captain during his time in Philadelphia.
Known for his sense of humor, the beloved teammate was also a finalist in 2022 for the NHL’s Masterton Trophy, which is given to the player who best displays the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to ice hockey. That season, Hayes dealt with the death of his brother and returned to play after undergoing multiple core muscle surgeries, including a blood infection.
Prior to turning pro, the Boston native was a decorated player at Boston College, where he won the 2012 national championship alongside close friend Johnny Gaudreau. Hayes also represented Team USA at the IIHF World Championships in 2014, 2017, and 2024.
