Zack Hayes Bio
Zack Hayes is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Milwaukee Admirals of the American Hockey League. Originally undrafted by teams in the National Hockey League, Hayes has previously played for the Vegas Golden Knights, as well as stints in the AHL and overseas in Finland. He has played as a defenceman and began his professional career in 2021. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Hayes demonstrated a passion for ice hockey from a young age, culminating in a career filled with notable achievements. Hayes currently holds a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2025–26 season.
The son of four children, Hayes grew up in Calgary and played several sports as a child, including soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and field hockey. Ice hockey remained his true passion, and he eventually chose to pursue it at the highest levels available to him. Now established as a physical defenceman at 191 centimetres and 103 kilograms, Hayes has carved out a steady professional career across North America and Europe. His journey reflects the perseverance required for players who enter the sport without the benefit of being drafted by an NHL team.
Early Life and Background
Zack Hayes was born on April 24, 1999, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He grew up as the oldest of four children in a family that supported his athletic pursuits. Hayes played several sports as a child, including soccer, lacrosse, volleyball, and field hockey, but ice hockey remained his true passion. His parents supported his decision to forego other options early in his hockey career when he was given the opportunity to pursue the Western Hockey League path.
Hayes spent his minor ice hockey career with the Calgary Northstars of the Alberta Midget Hockey League. He appeared in 27 games for the Northstars during the 2015–16 season, recording one goal and 10 points over that span. He also played two games for the Canmore Eagles of the Alberta Junior Hockey League before ultimately agreeing to a contract with Prince Albert of the WHL. This early exposure to competitive hockey in Alberta provided the foundation for his eventual development into a professional defenceman.
Path to Professional Ice Hockey
Selected in the ninth round, 184th overall, of the 2014 Western Hockey League bantam draft, Hayes joined the Prince Albert Raiders organization. His parents wanted him to explore other options, but Hayes was committed to the WHL path. He recorded 29 points through his first 144 WHL games before being named an alternate captain for the Raiders in the 2018–19 season. 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.
Hayes was named team captain the following season, and he responded by setting career highs with seven goals and 16 assists in 60 games, along with a team-leading plus-37 rating. He finished his major junior career with 15 goals and 79 points across 272 total games. The captaincy of a WHL championship team served as a strong launching pad for his professional career, demonstrating his leadership abilities and on-ice consistency.
Zack Hayes Career
Early Career (2020–2022)
On April 6, 2020, the Vegas Golden Knights signed Hayes to a one-year contract with their American Hockey League affiliate, the Henderson Silver Knights. He spent the 2020–21 season developing his game in the AHL, gaining valuable professional experience at the highest minor league level. On March 30, 2021, the Golden Knights signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract that would take effect for the 2021–22 National Hockey League season.
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. The call-up represented the realization of a long-term goal after years of development in junior and professional hockey. Though his debut came in a loss, the opportunity to play at the highest level of the sport validated the path he had followed since his WHL days in Prince Albert.
2022–23 NHL Season Trades (2022–2023)
In the following 2022–23 season, Hayes was reassigned to begin the campaign with the Silver Knights in the AHL. After registering one assist through 14 games, Hayes was traded by the Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations on November 30, 2022. He was assigned directly to the Hurricanes AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves, where he made 14 further appearances and collected three points.
Hayes was 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 annual trade deadline. He subsequently finished the 2022–23 season with the Devils AHL affiliate, the Utica Comets. The whirlwind season saw Hayes play for three AHL organizations, demonstrating the mobility and adaptability required of journeyman professional players.
Vaasan Sport and Return to North America (2023–2025)
At the conclusion of his contract with the Devils, Hayes opted to embark on a career abroad by agreeing to a one-year contract with Vaasan Sport of the Finnish Liiga on September 19, 2023. He was brought in to strengthen the team defence corps after an injury to Valtteri Hietanen. His decision to play overseas in Finland marked an expansion of his professional experience and introduced him to a different style of European hockey.
Hayes returned to North America after just a single season overseas, signing a one-year AHL contract with the Laval Rocket, the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, on July 22, 2024. On July 2, 2025, Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2025–26 season. His time in the AHL has spanned multiple organizations, giving him broad experience across different coaching systems and team cultures.
Playing Style and Strengths
At 191 centimetres and 103 kilograms, Hayes plays as a physical defenceman who uses his size and positioning to his advantage. He shoots left and relies on solid defensive-zone coverage, shot blocking, and board play to disrupt opposing attacks. His plus-37 rating during his final WHL season as captain of the Prince Albert Raiders reflected his two-way capability and defensive reliability at the junior level.
Hayes has demonstrated versatility across different AHL organizations and systems, an attribute that has helped him maintain a consistent professional career. His penalty killing and defensive reliability have made him a useful depth defenceman at the AHL level, where his size and physical presence translate well to the North American professional game.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hayes captained the Prince Albert Raiders to the Ed Chynoweth Cup championship in the 2018–19 season, the first league title for the franchise in 34 years. He advanced to the 2019 Memorial Cup as WHL champion, though the Raiders were eliminated in round-robin play. His NHL debut on March 21, 2022, with the Vegas Golden Knights represented a significant personal milestone after years of development without the benefit of draft selection.
His decision to play in the Finnish Liiga with Vaasan Sport during the 2023–24 season added international professional experience to his resume. Signing with the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2025–26 season marks the latest chapter in a career defined by persistence and adaptability across multiple leagues and organizations.
Zack Hayes Career Wins
Zack Hayes has competed at the Western Hockey League, American Hockey League, National Hockey League, and Finnish Liiga levels over the course of his career. His junior career produced a WHL championship as captain of the Prince Albert Raiders, while his professional career has included NHL and AHL experience across multiple organizations.
Western Hockey League Highlights
Hayes captained the Prince Albert Raiders to the Ed Chynoweth Cup championship in the 2018–19 WHL season, the first league title in the franchise 34-year history. The Raiders advanced to the 2019 Memorial Cup as WHL representatives. Hayes finished his WHL career with 15 goals and 79 points across 272 games, serving as team captain during his final season.
Other Wins and Performances
Hayes made his NHL debut with the Vegas Golden Knights on March 21, 2022, in a game against the Minnesota Wild. He has also competed in the Finnish Liiga with Vaasan Sport during the 2023–24 season. His AHL career has spanned the Henderson Silver Knights, Chicago Wolves, Utica Comets, Laval Rocket, and Milwaukee Admirals, giving him broad exposure to the top tier of minor league hockey.
Zack Hayes Family
Family Background
Zack Hayes was born on April 24, 1999, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and grew up as the oldest of four children. His parents supported his hockey development from a young age, including when he was selected in the 2014 WHL bantam draft and chose to pursue the major junior path. He spent his minor hockey career with the Calgary Northstars of the Alberta Midget Hockey League.
Personal Life
Hayes grew up in Calgary playing multiple sports before focusing exclusively on ice hockey. His family background in Alberta placed him within a strong hockey culture that supported his development from minor hockey through the WHL to professional ranks. His willingness to pursue opportunities overseas in Finland and adapt to multiple AHL organizations reflects a professional approach to building a sustained playing career.
2025 Season Performance
Zack Hayes agreed to a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Admirals for the 2025–26 season on July 2, 2025, marking his fifth AHL organization. His 2024–25 season was spent with the Laval Rocket, the top affiliate of the Montreal Canadiens, after returning from a single season with Vaasan Sport in the Finnish Liiga. Hayes has demonstrated the ability to adapt quickly to new team systems and defensive roles throughout his professional career.
Hayes brings NHL experience and international playing time to the Admirals blue line for the 2025–26 season. His versatility across multiple defensive systems and his physical playing style make him a valuable depth option for Milwaukee. The Admirals will look to leverage his experience and defensive reliability as they build their roster for the upcoming AHL campaign.