'My angel I love you so much. I don't know how I'm going to do life without you': Wife of NHL star Jimmy Hayes shares tribute after his sudden death at 31 just a day after his son's second birthday
The grieving widow of NHL star Jimmy Hayes, who died suddenly Monday at age 31, is sharing her heartbreak online.
‘My angel I love you so much,' Kristen Hayes said on Instagram Tuesday. ‘I don’t know how I’m going to do life without you. You should be here. This isn’t fair.’
The hockey player was pronounced dead at his Milton, Massachusetts, home Monday. His cause of death was not immediately known, but police told The Boston Globe they didn’t suspect foul play.
He and his wife have two children, and celebrated their son Beau’s second birthday on Sunday. Their younger son, Mac, was born May 5.
Kristen Hayes paid a heartbreaking tribute to her husband in an Instagram post, writing: 'My angel I love you so much. I don't know how I'm going to do life without you'
Jimmy Hayes and his wife Kristen and their two children during their Father's Day celebration on June 2021. Hayes, who had won a national hockey championship at Boston College and played seven seasons in the NHL, passed away on Monday. His cause of death remains unknown
Jimmy Hayes and his wife Kristen and their two children during their Father's Day celebration on June 2021. Hayes, who had won a national hockey championship at Boston College and played seven seasons in the NHL, passed away on Monday. His cause of death remains unknown
Hayes had four siblings, and his brother Kevin Hayes plays for the Philadelphia Flyers.
The athlete’s cousin Matthew Tkachuk, who's a member of the Calgary Flames, said on Twitter that the death left him ‘speechless and heartbroken.’ Another cousin, Brady Tkachuk, plays for the Ottawa Senators.
‘Wish I had the chance to tell Jimmy how much Brady and I looked up to him and Kevin throughout all the years,’ Matthew Tkachuk said. ‘I know that Beau and Mac will grow up with the same larger than life and loving personality that he had!’
Jimmy Hayes began playing in the NHL when he joined the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011.
'His warm personality made an immediate impact in the locker room and with our fans,' the Blackhawks said in a statement. 'We’re proud of the memories he made in Chicago.'
Haynes played in the NHL for seven seasons, and represented a number of teams, including the Florida panthers
He later spent two seasons playing for the Florida Panthers before joining the Boston Bruins.
Boston captain Patrice Bergeron said Hayes will be missed.
'I’m devastated to learn of the passing of my friend Jimmy Hayes,' Bergeron said in a statement. 'It was a pleasure getting to know Jimmy, and he was such a joy to be around both on and off the ice. I’ll always remember his big smile — he was so positive and full of life. I’m going to really miss that. We’ve lost a great person.
'My family and I send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Kristen, their two young boys, his brother Kevin, and the rest of his family during this difficult time.'
Former teammate Austin Czarnik, who played with Hayes in Boston from 2015 to 2017, described Hayes as 'one of the best teammates you could ask for.
'Truly a great person and friend,' said Czarnik, who now plays forward for the New York Islanders. 'Was a pleasure to get to know Jimmy and play with him. Prayers to the Hayes family.'
Hayes also played for the Florida Panthers.
His career ended following the 2018-19 season, having played a total of seven NHL seasons.
'Known for his character and kindness around the league, Jimmy will be dearly missed by all,' the Toronto Maple Leafs said in a statement.