Avery Hayes made a spectacular entrance into the NHL on Thursday night in Buffalo, scoring two goals for the Pittsburgh Penguins in his first-ever game. The 23-year-old forward’s unexpected debut came after being called up from the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins due to injuries and illnesses among Pittsburgh’s regular lineup. This performance marks a historic moment for Hayes and places him among a select group of players who have achieved multiple goals in their NHL debut.
Historic Achievements and Team Milestones
Hayes is now the third player in Pittsburgh Penguins history to net multiple goals in his first NHL game, joining Jake Guentzel and Rob Brown. Additionally, he is one of only seven players in NHL history—and just the fourth since 1917—to score multiple times within the first period of his debut. Moreover, Hayes becomes the 12th undrafted player to accomplish multiple goals in his inaugural NHL appearance since the draft began in 1963.
Emotional Reactions from Hayes and Family
Overjoyed by his performance, Hayes expressed difficulty in articulating his emotions after the Penguins’ 5-2 victory.
“Right now, I can’t really put it into words,”
he said, beaming.
“I’m just excited to see my family after they were able to make the trip. So, I have no words right now, but it was a ton of fun.”
His parents, Paul and Mandy Hayes, shared tears of happiness during the first intermission, moved by Avery’s two goals. “We’re all in tears!” Mandy exclaimed.
“Our youngest son (Elijah) is with us, he’s crying. We’re so happy. Dreams come true.”
Paul added,
“He’s just put in so much work. He never gave up.”
Mandy affirmed,
“He deserves every minute, every goal. He put in his all to get where he’s at today.”
An Unexpected Call-Up and the Journey to Buffalo
The day of the game began quietly, with Hayes attending an optional practice in Wilkes-Barre. He stayed off the ice, focusing on a workout, unaware that his NHL debut was imminent. Around 10:45 a.m., Derek Avery, manager of team operations for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, received a call from Penguins Director of Hockey Operations and Legal Affairs Vukie Mpofu and Head Coach Dan Muse. With Penguins players Rickard Rakell and Noel Acciari dealing with health issues, a quick player call-up was necessary. Hayes was contacted and informed of the opportunity, despite not having his phone in the training room.
“I just went in there, he was in the middle of a stretch,”
Derek recalled.
“Trying to play it cool, but it’s like, let’s get out of here as quick as possible.”
Because of short notice, getting Hayes to Buffalo presented logistical challenges. Flying out of New York was complicated, and car services were unavailable on such short notice. The decision was made for Derek Avery to drive Hayes himself, minimizing risks and ensuring a smooth trip. After gathering Hayes’ equipment and essentials, including a suit and toothbrush, the two began the 4.5-hour drive to Buffalo.
Family’s Race to Witness the Debut
Around noon, Avery’s father received a call from Penguins director of team services Jason Seidling, informing him the debut was not yet official but that the family should come prepared, just in case. Fortunately, the Hayes family lives near Detroit Metro Airport, allowing them to fly out promptly.
“I was thinking about [his journey] the whole plane ride here, it just brought me back to when he was little,”
Mandy shared.
“Tying his skates, it’s just like it was yesterday,”
Paul added.
“It went by so fast. It doesn’t seem like it’s been that long.”
Pre-Game Routine and Reunions
During the drive, Hayes rested for two-and-a-half hours, while Derek handled numerous work calls.
“I was trying to keep it quiet in the car for him, so you just don’t interrupt his nap,”
Derek explained.
“Try to keep everything as level as possible, like, what a normal game day would be.”
When awake, Hayes received the exciting confirmation he would be playing alongside his best friend, Penguins teammate Rutger McGroarty.
“It was super exciting. I texted him, like, hey, I think we might be playing together,”
McGroarty said.
“Let’s go out there and dominate.”
Final Preparations at KeyBank Center
Hayes arrived at KeyBank Center shortly after 5 p.m., slightly later than his usual 4:30 p.m. arrival time, but made it in time for the team meeting.
“We shaved off some minutes. I don’t know if he was speeding or what, but I woke up from my nap and it went from a 5:25 arrival to 5:05,”
Hayes joked.
“It was good. I didn’t have much time to think about the game, which, honestly, was pretty nice. It wasn’t too stressful.”
His family arrived concurrently and was able to watch Avery take his traditional rookie lap around the ice before the game began, a proud moment for all.
Dominant Performance: Goals and Play Highlights
Hayes scored on his very first shot of the night, assisted primarily by Ilya Solovyov and secondarily by McGroarty. Kevin Hayes, a veteran player centering the young duo, made sure to retrieve the puck as a keepsake of Avery’s first NHL goal.
“It was a great chip, great exit out of the D zone,”
Avery said.
“And I was just able to get by him, and I was lucky enough to put it low blocker.”
McGroarty praised his friend’s performance:
“He’s a dawg. I think you saw the speed. But also, for him to bump the guy and get that space, and then he can snap the pill.”
Hayes’ second goal came later in the first period, off a beautiful pass from Anthony Mantha, with Avery actively calling for the puck the entire way. Derek Avery recalled the moments leading up to the game.
“We joked about it in the car coming up, that you know it’s going to be a good situation. He didn’t have to hear any of the outside noise. He got called up and that was it. Just go out there and play,”
Derek said. “As we were three blocks away, we were like, it’d be pretty crazy if you could get on the stat sheet tonight. Then he gets two ticks in the goal column.
“It’s nuts. Honestly, unbelievable. It’s the magnitude of the day, but then you’re such a fan of the player. I don’t think I’ve celebrated a goal that hard working in hockey.”
A Leader on and off the Ice
Avery Hayes has earned the admiration of everyone around him for his character and perseverance. As the eldest of four brothers, including Travis Hayes—a Penguins fourth-round pick in 2025—Avery serves as a role model and leader for his siblings. “He’s the perfect role model,” Paul said.
“All the boys work out together, and Avery’s the leader. They’re all so close.”
Mandy echoed the sentiment, noting just how celebrated Avery’s achievement has been among friends and family.
“And they’re all so happy! We’re getting texts like, oh my God, oh my God! Can you believe it? He got two!”
Unexpected Path to Victory
Hayes’ impressive showing came months after shining at the Prospects Challenge in September, where teammate Ben Kindel also scored twice during Thursday’s game. His performance was a vital factor in helping Pittsburgh secure a win against the surging Buffalo Sabres.
Head Coach Dan Muse described the surreal nature of Hayes’ debut:
“It was awesome. It’s one of those things, anybody’s first game, it’s a day they’re never gonna forget. But this all came up this morning. The day that he’s had, like, he woke up this morning not a thought of playing a game in the NHL. And so, the way it all came about is incredible.”
“Thrilled for him, but also, he’s a guy who’s just worked for everything. So, I think just him having this day, the way he kind of continued to just work and not be denied to get this moment and then attack that moment the way he did was unbelievable.”
Significance of Hayes’ Breakout Night
Avery Hayes’ two-goal NHL debut is more than a personal milestone—it is a testament to relentless effort and readiness to seize unexpected opportunities. His journey from undrafted AHL player to NHL goal scorer on a crucial night underscores the unpredictable nature of professional sports and the importance of perseverance. This memorable performance not only contributed to the Penguins’ victory but will also likely serve as the launching pad for Hayes’ NHL career, inspiring other players with unconventional paths.
A-VERY good night. pic.twitter.com/pYtUt8w4Qs
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 6, 2026
Reunited with the bestie on his biggest night 🫶 pic.twitter.com/JLgUralZs1
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 5, 2026
Gearing up for a dream coming true. pic.twitter.com/mh4IeShKzd
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 6, 2026
HE'S HERE‼️ pic.twitter.com/9M80pNglnZ
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 5, 2026
Avery Hayes, @NHL player 🐧 pic.twitter.com/dfMuUFchIU
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) February 5, 2026
