Zack Hayes Bio
Zackary Hayes, known professionally as Zack Hayes, is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who currently plays for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League (AHL). Standing 191 centimeters tall and weighing 103 kilograms, Hayes brings a sturdy, defensively responsible presence to the back end. Originally undrafted by teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), he has steadily built his career through development leagues and professional affiliate programs, reaching the NHL briefly with the Vegas Golden Knights before continuing his progression at the AHL level.
Born and raised in Canada, Hayes developed a lifelong passion for the game from an early age and committed himself to the path of a defenceman. His professional career began in 2021, and he has since represented multiple organizations across North America and Europe.
Early Life and Background
Zack Hayes was born on April 24, 1999, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is the oldest of four children in his family, and grew up in an environment that encouraged athletic participation. As a child, Hayes sampled several sports including soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and field hockey, but ice hockey consistently captured his attention and emerged as his true calling.
Hayes spent his minor ice hockey career with the Calgary Northstars of the Alberta Midget Hockey League (AMHL), where he continued to develop his defensive game. During the 2015–16 season, he appeared in 27 games for the Northstars, recording one goal and 10 points across that span. These formative years in Calgary laid the foundation for his transition into major junior hockey.
Path to Professional Hockey
Hayes was selected in the ninth round, 184th overall, of the 2014 Western Hockey League (WHL) bantam draft. Although his parents encouraged him to consider other routes, Hayes briefly appeared in two games for the Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) before ultimately agreeing to a contract with the Prince Albert Raiders of the WHL. This decision marked the beginning of a significant chapter in his development.
After recording 29 points through his first 144 WHL games, Hayes was named an alternate captain for the Raiders in 2018–19. That season, Prince Albert won the Ed Chynoweth Cup for the first time in 34 years, advancing to the 2019 Memorial Cup as WHL champions before being eliminated in round-robin play by the Guelph Storm. The experience of competing for a national title helped shape Hayes into a leadership-minded defenceman.
Zack Hayes Career
Junior Career and Captaincy (2016–2020)
Hayes continued his progression with the Prince Albert Raiders, and the following season he was elevated to the role of team captain. In that captaincy campaign, he set career highs with seven goals and 16 assists in 60 games, while also posting a team-leading plus-minus rating of plus-37. His two-way play and steady defensive contributions earned him the respect of teammates and coaches alike.
Collectively, Hayes finished his major junior career with 15 goals and 79 points across 272 total WHL games. The combination of his durability, leadership, and consistent improvement made him a respected figure within the Raiders organization and prepared him for the rigors of professional hockey.
NHL Entry and the Vegas Golden Knights (2020–2022)
On April 6, 2020, the Vegas Golden Knights of the National Hockey League signed Hayes to a one-year contract with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. On March 30, 2021, the Golden Knights signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract that would take effect for the 2021–22 NHL season, signaling their confidence in his long-term potential.
Hayes was promoted to Vegas on March 21, 2022, making his NHL debut for the Golden Knights in a 3–0 shutout loss to the Minnesota Wild. Although his time in the NHL lineup was brief, the debut validated the years of work he had invested to reach the highest level of professional hockey.
Trades, AHL Transitions, and European Experience (2022–2024)
In the 2022–23 season, Hayes was reassigned to begin the campaign with the Henderson Silver Knights in the AHL. After registering one assist through 14 games, he was traded by the Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations on November 30, 2022, and was assigned directly to the Hurricanes’ AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. With the Wolves, he made 14 further appearances, collecting three points.
Hayes was then traded for the second time within the same NHL season, dealt from the Hurricanes to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for forward Jack Dugan at the league’s annual trade deadline. He subsequently finished the season with the Devils’ AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. After his contract with the Devils concluded, Hayes chose to take his career abroad, agreeing to a one-year contract with Finnish-based Vaasan Sport of Liiga on September 19, 2023, joining the team to strengthen its defence corps following an injury to Valtteri Hietanen. He returned to North America after a single overseas season, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Laval Rocket, the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, on July 22, 2024.
Milwaukee Admirals Era (2025–Present)
On July 2, 2025, Zack Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2025–26 season. The move represented another opportunity for the veteran defenceman to contribute at the AHL level while pursuing his ongoing professional ambitions. Hayes joined the Admirals as an established, well-traveled blue-liner capable of handling top-four minutes.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hayes is recognized for his size, physicality, and defensive reliability as a 191-centimeter, 103-kilogram blueliner. His game emphasizes positional defense, shot blocking, and responsible puck management, complemented by a team-leading plus-minus during his junior captaincy season. He is valued by coaching staffs for his steadiness rather than offensive flash.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the most significant milestones of Hayes’ career are his NHL debut with the Vegas Golden Knights on March 21, 2022, and his role as captain of the Prince Albert Raiders when they captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup in 2019. His trade from the Hurricanes to the Devils within a single season also marked an unusual chapter in his professional journey.
Zack Hayes Career Wins
Zack Hayes’ career has been defined more by steady progression, defensive contributions, and leadership than by prolific point-scoring totals. While specific win totals across his various leagues are not fully catalogued, his most notable team achievement came with the 2018–19 Prince Albert Raiders, who captured the Ed Chynoweth Cup as WHL champions.
Junior and International Highlights
Hayes’ major junior record includes 15 goals and 79 points across 272 WHL games with the Prince Albert Raiders. The highlight of that tenure was his appointment as team captain and the Raiders’ run to the 2019 Memorial Cup as WHL champions. He also represented the Calgary Northstars in the AMHL, recording 10 points in 27 games during the 2015–16 season.
Other Performances
At the AHL level, Hayes has appeared for the Henderson Silver Knights, Chicago Wolves, Utica Comets, and Laval Rocket, contributing defensive minutes and modest offensive output. Overseas, he suited up for Vaasan Sport in Finland’s Liiga during the 2023–24 season, broadening his professional résumé with an international stint.
Zack Hayes Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Zack Hayes is the oldest of four children and grew up in Calgary, Alberta, with strong family roots in the city. His parents played an influential role in his early athletic decisions, encouraging him to explore multiple options before ultimately supporting his commitment to ice hockey. Public details about his extended family remain limited.
Personal Life
Hayes maintains a relatively private personal life and is primarily known through his professional hockey career. No public information regarding a spouse or children is currently available. He continues to focus on his development as a professional defenceman.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–26 season marks Zack Hayes’ first campaign with the Milwaukee Admirals after agreeing to a one-year contract on July 2, 2025. Joining the Admirals provides him with a fresh opportunity to establish himself as a reliable top-four defenceman at the AHL level and to contribute to the team’s push for a successful season.
Coming off stints with the Laval Rocket and Vaasan Sport, Hayes brings valuable experience from multiple organizations across North America and Europe. His size, defensive instincts, and leadership qualities should position him as a stabilizing presence on the Admirals’ blue line throughout the campaign.
As the season unfolds, Hayes will look to build momentum, refine his game under the Admirals’ coaching staff, and continue pursuing his broader ambitions in professional hockey. His current contract is set to run through 2026, giving him a defined window to make an impact in Milwaukee.