Philadelphia, PA, September 21, 2026 —

Kevin Hayes, a veteran forward who played 12 seasons in the National Hockey League (NHL), has announced his retirement from professional hockey. The announcement comes after a recent brief stint with the Russian club Ak Bars Kazan.

Hayes, who previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers and several other NHL teams, stated that his decision was due to his body no longer being able to perform at his highest level. Throughout his NHL career, Hayes played in 805 regular-season games.

The forward’s career included stops with the Chicago Blackhawks, New York Rangers, Winnipeg Jets, and Philadelphia Flyers. His final professional games were with Ak Bars Kazan of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), a move he made after being bought out by the Flyers in the summer of 2023.

Hayes, 31, was drafted by the Blackhawks in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. He spent his collegiate career at Boston College before turning pro. His NHL tenure was marked by periods of strong offensive contribution, though it was also punctuated by injuries.

The player did not provide further details regarding the specific physical limitations that led to his retirement. The statement indicates that his body’s inability to meet his own performance standards was the primary factor in concluding his playing career.


Story summarized from the original created by Gustav Elvin on www.inquirer.com, see more information here.

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