"Zack is a young defenseman who will add to our organizational depth on the blue line," said Waddell. "He is an experienced leader who knows how to play physically on the back end."
Hayes, 23, has skated in three career NHL games, all with Vegas in 2021-22. The 6'3", 224-pound defenseman has registered one assist in 14 American Hockey League (AHL) games with Henderson this season. Hayes has played 103 career AHL games with the Silver Knights, posting 18 points (4g, 14a). Prior to turning professional, the Calgary, Alta., native played parts of five Western Hockey League (WHL) seasons with Prince Albert, tallying 79 points (15g, 64a) in 272 games and captaining the Raiders in 2019-20. Hayes added three points (1g, 2a) in 23 WHL playoff games in 2019 as Prince Albert won the Ed Chynoweth Cup as league champions.
