Named captain of the Raiders for the 2019–20 season,[6] he set career highs with seven goals and 16 assists in 60 games, as well as a team-leading +37 plus–minus.[7] Collectively, Hayes finished his junior hockey career with 15 goals and 79 points in 272 games.[8]
Hayes was promoted to Vegas on March 21, 2022, making his NHL debut for the Golden Knights' 3–0 shutout loss to the Minnesota Wild.[11]
In the following 2022–23 season, Hayes was re-assigned to begin the campaign with the Silver Knights in the AHL. After registering 1 assist through 14 games, Hayes was traded by the Golden Knights to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for future considerations on November 30, 2022.[12] He was assigned directly to Hurricanes AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. In reporting to the Wolves, Hayes made 14 further appearances in collecting 3 points before he was traded for the second time within the season, dealt from the Hurricanes to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Jack Dugan on March 10, 2023..[13]
As the conclusion of his contract with the Devils, Hayes opted to embark on a career abroad by agreeing to a one-year contract with Finnish-based, Vaasan Sport of the Liiga, on September 19, 2023.[14] He would ultimately return 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.[15]