Date Published: 1-25-2022
Photo Credit: NBC.com
Kevin Hayes is a big bodied Center, as he stands at 6’5,” and weighs 220 pounds. He has provided much-needed size down the middle or on the Wing for the Flyers, and Hayes is also versatile. Hayes currently plays the Wing under Torts, as well as, the Penalty Kill and Power Play. He has played as a left winger, right winger, and center this season. In addition, John Tortorella has thrown him on lines 1-3 at different times, and he just excels wherever he is placed within the lineup. Hayes is a legit scoring threat this season, a season in which he has helped the Flyers immensely. Better yet, Hayes seems to be doing everything right offensively as he has tallied 15 goals, and 29 assists for a total of 44 points in 48 games played.
His most important attribute for this young orange and black club are his play driving skills. Hayes is not in the dog house like some have thought with the way he has been utilized this season. Tortorella just needs to find balance and chemistry with his lines, so he places Hayes where there might be a weakness:
“Everybody thinks Kevin’s in the doghouse. Kevin isn’t in the doghouse. Kevin needs to learn to play the right way, and I think he’s trying to do that. He gets an opportunity tonight and scores a goal for us.” – John Tortorella
For his efforts, Kevin Hayes was named as a representative for the Flyers All-Star game. This will be Hayes’s first All-Star game appearance in the NHL, and most of his family will be there in attendance. His nephew, Beau, will be with him the entire time, as his late brother Jimmy Hayes was hoping he would eventually become an All-Star before he tragically passed last year. Kevin Hayes sounded off on his All-Star nod yesterday before the game against the Los Angeles Kings:
“It’s going to be a great weekend. He (Beau) still doesn’t get it. All he cares about is me pointing up to the sky after scoring. He falls asleep with his hockey pants on. He shoots he scored he points up to the sky.” – Kevin Hayes said of his nephew Beau. Beau will be on hand the entire weekend, side by side with Hayes on All-Star weekend
Beau and Kevin point up to the sky for his late brother Jimmy (Beau’s dad). Kevin elaborates, “He’s (Beau) is a hockey genius, and his favorite player is Brad Marchand unfortunately (Hayes said laughing).”
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Hayes’s family will be in attendance, as well as, some friends for this special event. He is looking forward to it, and is excited the entire weekend. This means a lot to him and his family, and he states that over and over again. Hopefully, Hayes does well and is able to give his friends and family a good show. He and his family have dealt with numerous hardships over the course of a calendar year, and Hayes in particular has handled everything rather well.
