Former hockey player Jimmy Hayes was pronounced dead Monday morning. Hayes, 31, died a few hours after celebrating his son’s birthday and 3 months after they welcomed his second son, Mac.
The athlete died in his home in the Boston suburbs, reported a law enforcement official to The Boston Globe.
According to the outlet, the cause of death is not yet released, but there was no foul play indicated. Boston police, however, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Beau’s Second Birthday
Hours before his unexpected death, Jimmy Hayes and his wife, Kristen, were celebrating their eldest son’s second birthday, Beau.
The couple both shared photos and videos of the special celebration that happened on Sunday in their Instagram profiles.
In one photo, reposted from a friend on Hayes’ Instagram story, Beau is seen sitting at a kiddie table with another toddler waiting for his birthday cake – which turned out to be a massive dessert topped with a recycling truck leaving candy pieces in its wake.
His wife, Kristen also shared some behind-the-scenes during the event on her Instagram story.
There was a sweet video of Hayes jumping on the trampoline with Beau, a photo of Hayes pushing Beau and 3-month-old Mac in a dual stroller, and a photo of the father and son pair at the arcade.
An Athlete to Remember
Jimmy Hayes was first drafted in the NHL by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008. He helped the Boston College hockey team emerge victorious in the 2010 NCAA championship, and made his debut in the NHL with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2011.
The Blackhawks said in a statement, “his warm personality made an immediate impact in the locker room and with our fans. We’re proud of the memories he made in Chicago, including making his NHL debut in 2011.”
Boston College also wrote in a tweet Monday, “Boston College Hockey is heartbroken over the passing of Jimmy Hayes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hayes family.”
