As an “OG” of the Coachella Valley Firebirds in the American Hockey League (AHL), forward John Hayden has come to be revered as one of the desert’s hometown heroes, both on and off the ice. While under contract to the Seattle Kraken of the National Hockey League (NHL), Hayden’s stellar performance coupled with his affable, down to earth manner make him a favorite of fans and sports enthusiasts.
Hayden has the smarts to back up his athletic prowess. Having graduated from Yale University (where he served as captain of the Bulldogs during his senior year), Hayden says, “It was an amazing experience. By studying political science I was able to learn so much in a comprehensive way. Plus, the networking was high caliber.”
In his first full season with the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2018–19 season, Hayden played in a fourth-line role, contributing with three goals and five points in 54 games. On June 22, 2019, at the 2019 NHL entry draft, Hayden was traded by the Blackhawks to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for John Quenneville. In the 2019–20 season, Hayden played in 43 games for the New Jersey Devils, playing in a fourth-line forward role recording three goals and an assist. Hayden was released to free agency on October 8, 2020.
On the following day, Hayden was signed by the Arizona Coyotes after agreeing to a one-year, $750,000 contract. In his lone season with the Coyotes in the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Hayden made 29 appearances, posting two goals and five points.
The Coyotes released him as a free agent on July 29, 2021, at which point Hayden was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Buffalo Sabres. On July 14, 2022, he was signed as a free agent to a one-year, two-way contract with the Seattle Kraken.
The 30 year-old Hayden was born in Chicago but immediately moved to Denver, Colorado before settling in Greenwich, Connecticut with his family when he was eight years old. During the summer off-season, he looks forward to spending time with family who divide their time between Greenwich and New York City.
He says, “When I go home, I get to visit with the family pet, a chow named Chowder and an English bulldog named Boomer.” He also covets his time back home with his parents and siblings, including his entrepreneurial-minded brother who graduated from Wake Forest University and works in financial management. Hayden is especially proud of his sister Catherine, who has just launched her own golf apparel line, Honey (honeygolf.com), in partnership with former University of North Carolina field hockey teammates, Marissa and Ellen, who together helped lead the team to two NCAA titles.
Hayden married his wife, Lauren, last summer, and together they live in La Quinta with a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Briar.
As for his time on the ice and in the rink, Hayden says, “It’s been great working with Lax [Coach Derek Laxdal]. He reads the room well. He and the trainers deserve a lot of credit for carrying us in the right direction. He’s brought us a lot of success, and I’m really proud of Dan and Jess [Dan Bylsma, former head coach, and Jessica Campbell, former assistant coach] moving back to Seattle. Stu [Bickel, assistant coach] and Zuli [Colin Zulianello, goaltending coach] are still here, and it’s exciting that I’m one of the original five players going back to the inaugural season.”
As for his favorite part of the game? Hayden says, “I love it right when we come out onto the ice. There’s a certain intensity when the lights dim, and it’s those first few moments skating out before things calm and the play begins.”
He continues, “Home crowds here are the best in the AHL. I was able to get a taste of the playoffs last year, too. I love living here, and it’s perfect for where I’m at in my life. There’s a golf scene, a food scene, The Amex golf, BNP Paribas Open, concerts, and so many events going on all the time.”
In his down time, Hayden loves to golf, which also reminds him of growing up in Greenwich. He and his wife Lauren have also been able to take advantage of weekend getaways to Joshua Tree, Laguna Beach, Carmel and Big Sur.
As much as he’d like to “stick around” here in the desert, Hayden says that his ultimate goal is to play in the NHL as long as he can and work on his game. “That’s the reality I’m hoping to create.”
Reflecting on what he considers to be a balanced life, Hayden concludes, “It’s good here.”
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