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Jimmy Hayes, a Dorchester native who led his hometown Boston College to an NCAA hockey championship and played for the Boston Bruins, died Monday (August 31) at the age of 31.
The Boston Globe reports Hayes died unexpectedly at his home in Milton.
A law enforcement official confirmed first responders went to Hayes' home, where he was pronounced dead.
The former hockey player's death is not believed to be caused by suspicious activity, though the cause of death was not immediately made available as of Monday morning, a law enforcement official confirmed to the Boston Globe.
Hayes, a right winger, appeared in 334 NHL games, scoring 54 goals and 109 points during stints with the Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.
The 6-foot-5 Dorchester native spent two seasons with the hometown Bruins, recording 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) in 133 total appearances.
Hayes' last professional hockey appearance came in 2019, playing for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. He had since served as co-host of the Missin Curfew podcast with fellow former NHL players Shane O'Brien and Scottie Upshall, making his last live show appearance on August 5.
Hayes led Boston College to an NCAA national championship in 2010 before being selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs at No. 60 overall in the 2008 NHL Draft and later traded to the Blackhawks in exchange for the No. 43 overall pick in the 2010 NHL Draft.
"Boston College Hockey is heartbroken over the passing of Jimmy Hayes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hayes family," BC Hockey shared on its verified Twitter account.
Hayes also won a silver medal with Team USA in the 2007 Under-18 World Junior Championship, a silver at the 2009 U-20s, and a silver in the 2014 World Championships, playing alongside his brother, Kevin, for Team USA.