The Chicago Blackhawks liked what they saw in Hayden, a big, physical forward, during two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program, and they selected him in the third round (No. 74) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
But before joining the Blackhawks, the Chicago native spent four seasons at Yale. His offensive totals ticked up each season, from 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) as a freshman to 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) as a senior, when he was captain.
The Chicago Blackhawks liked what they saw in Hayden, a big, physical forward, during two seasons with the United States National Team Development Program, and they selected him in the third round (No. 74) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
But before joining the Blackhawks, the Chicago native spent four seasons at Yale. His offensive totals ticked up each season, from 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) as a freshman to 34 points (21 goals, 13 assists) as a senior, when he was captain.
The Blackhawks wasted no time getting Hayden into uniform after his college career ended. He signed a two-year contract on March 15, 2017, made his NHL debut against the Ottawa Senators the next night and scored his first NHL goal two nights after that, against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished with four points (one goal, three assists) in 12 games.
Hayden was on the opening-night roster for the Blackhawks in 2017-18. He had 13 points (four goals, nine assists) in 47 games before finishing the season with Rockford of the American Hockey League. At 6-foot-3 and 223 pounds, Hayden is being counted on to provide offense and physicality in a bottom-six role.
NOTES & TRANSACTIONS
- ECAC Second All-Team (2017)
- Traded to New Jersey by Chicago for John Quenneville, June 22, 2019.
