Kevin Hayes Gets His Dream Job

By Meaghan Dorsey Kevin Hayes signed his future over to the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League this past August. Hayes, 22, was the 24th overall draft pick in 2010 and was a 1st round draftee for the Chicago Blackhawks. So, how did he end up in New York with the Rangers? “As my senior year went on at Boston College, the option came about to hold out and explore other options after the season because of how deep the forwards are within the Hawks organization,” Hayes said. “As the season ended I sat down with my family and agent and we decided that waiting until free agency would be the best idea for me. Once Aug 15th came and I was a free agent, a lot of teams contacted me and I had to narrow it down to a very small list. The Hawks were on this list as well. Eventually we decided that New York was the best fit for me short and long term.” It has been almost five years since Hayes was drafted into the NHL and he has had time to think about the future. “I am very happy with my decision seeing that I am playing and the organization is a very classy one and the guys on the team have been great to me,” Hayes said. Once he signed with the Rangers, Hayes did not have to go through the prospect camp process. “Luckily, I did not have to attend prospect camp this summer because I was holding out until August 15th, but in the past with prospect camps with the Hawks, camp was really fun and competitive. My schedule would be practice in the morning with a game after then free time after to explore and then grab dinner with some of the guys,” Hayes said. Who influenced Hayes the most throughout his lifetime career of hockey? “Hockey is in my family. I have a Hall of Fame cousin, Keith Tkachuk, and a cousin who played in over 1,400 NHL games, Tommy Fitzgerald. I followed them growing up and loved whatever team they played for. Also, my brother, Jimmy, plays in the NHL for the Florida Panthers.” When did this dream begin for Hayes? “I do not remember specifically my first time on the ice but I remember my grandfather forcing me on the ice when he brought my brother to learn to skate. I was probably around 2 years old,” he said. “I started playing controlled hockey when I was about 5 years old. I’m not sure what my first skates were but they were for sure passed down from my brother, Jimmy.” Hayes recently earned a spot on the roster for this current NHL season. “I am lucky enough to be on the roster here in New York and I am extremely thankful for it. It gave me an opportunity to achieve a life long goal and an experience of a lifetime. Being able to play a sport, as a job, is amazing.” Hayes’s brother also plays in the NHL and so do some of his best friends and former teammates. “It is always nice knowing someone on the opposing team, especially if you went to school with one of them and shared similar schedules for such a long time,” he said. “It speaks a lot about Boston College as a school and a team.” What will his plans be for the future? “Moving forward I would like to stay in the NHL with the Rangers and hopefully be up for the year. I will try to get better every day, every practice and every game.”