Hounds acquire WJHC Gold Medalist, Blackhawks prospect
SAULT STE. MARIE, ON-
Soo Greyhounds General Manager Kyle Raftis announced this evening the team has completed a trade with the Flint Firebirds.
As part of the transaction, the Hounds acquire 19-year old forward GAVIN HAYES from the Firebirds in exchange Flint receives forwards Connor Clattenburg, Alex Kostov along with the following picks; 2nd Round, 2027 – 3rd Round – 2025, 4th Round – 2026 and 5th Round – 2025.
Hayes, a native of Westland MI is coming off a gold-medal winning performance with Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
In 7 games played Hayes had 2 assists in the tournament.
A three-year OHL veteran, the 6.02, 178 lb forward has averaged over a point-per-game during his career in Flint producing 79 goals and 87 assists (166 points) in 158 games played.
Gavin was selected in the 3rd Round of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks (signed)
He was previously Flint’s 1st Round selection (16th overall) in the 2020 OHL Priority Selection.
In the departing Hounds, we thank both Connor and Alex for their year-and-a-half in a Greyhound uniform and their contributions to not only the organization but the community.
GAVIN HAYES
Position: Right Wing
Shoots: Right
Birthdate: 2004-05-14
Hometown: Westland, MI
NHL: 3rd Round (2022), CHI
CAREER BIO:
2023-24; Captured gold-medal with Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship … Flint’s 4th-leading scorer (1pt behind 1st) at time of trade … 2022-23 (41G, 40A, 81PTS in 66GP): Scored first-career at trick Dec. 1 @PBO … Career-high five-game point streak from Oct. 21 to Oct. 30 where he recorded 5G and 5A … 2021-22 (19G, 30A, 49PTS in 65GP) : Selected in the 3rd Round (66th overall) of NHL Entry Draft by Chicago … Set the single-game rookie record for points (6) and assists (4) on Mar. 18 vs SOO … Set the single-season rookie record for points (49) and assists (30)… Ranked #68 for North American Skates in NHL Central Scouting Mid-Season rankings … Had his first-career three-point game the following game Nov. 26, 2021, vs. Sarnia…… Scored his first career OHL goal, and registered his first career multi-goal game Nov. 24, 2021, vs. Saginaw … Made his OHL debut on Oct. 9 vs ER … 2020-21; Recorded 7G, 5A in 14GP for Honeybaked U16 AAA … 2019-20; Selected in the 1st Round (16th overall) by Flint in the OHL Priority Selection … Recorded 13G, 11A in 14 GP for Compuware U15 AAA
