By Field Level Media
Sep 21 (Field Level Media) – Forward Kevin Hayes is hanging up his skates after scoring 446 points across 12 NHL seasons with five teams.
The retirement announcement was made Monday by the KHL following a brief stint with a Russian club.
“I have decided to end my hockey career,” Hayes said. “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, 34, played 28 games last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, recording four goals and four assists.
He retires with 185 goals and 261 assists in 805 games with the New York Rangers (2014-19), Winnipeg Jets (2019), Philadelphia Flyers (2019-23), St. Louis Blues (2023-24) and Penguins (2024-26). He had 26 points (eight goals, 18 assists) in 56 playoff contests.
Nicknamed “Hollywood,” Hayes was a first-round draft pick (24th overall) by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010 and made the All-Star team with the Flyers in 2022-23.
The Massachusetts native signed with Ak Bars Kazan of the KHL on Aug. 25 and appeared in five games.
(–Field Level Media)
