By Jeff D'Andrea

Hayes transforms from depth player into shutdown D-man

Apr 13, 2017 | 5:00 PM

As huge as Zack Hayes already is, with his intimidating 6’3″, 212-pound frame, it’s hard to think of him as growing. But he sure did a lot in his first full WHL season with the Prince Albert Raiders.

Hayes, who was originally a ninth round pick out of Calgary in 2014, was just hoping to crack the Raiders roster and not be stuck in the press box in his 17-year-old rookie year.

But by the end of the season Hayes was being sent out to shut down premier talent like projected first overall pick Nolan Patrick. On Tuesday Hayes was one of three Raiders named in the NHL Central Scouting final rankings, coming in at 202^nd among North American skaters. Ian Scott was ranked third among North American goaltenders, while Parker Kelly was the 192^nd North American skater.

“At the beginning of the season, my expectations were just on making the team and trying to be in the lineup every night,” Hayes said. “I wasn’t thinking at the beginning of the year that I’d be in this position that I’m in now.”

In a 3-1 win over the Brandon Wheat Kings March 10, Hayes was assigned to shut down Nolan Patrick, who was widely projected as the top selection of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. Not only was Patrick held scoreless in the game, he was visibly frustrated as Hayes was in his face before, during and after the play. Hayes also had one of his two career goals that same night.

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“It shows that the coaches had trust in me to know that I could do my job well against a high-end player like that,” Hayes said. “It was a good booster, even though it was late in the season, that I could play against the top players and shut them down night in and night out.

“I thought I did very well in that role throughout the season playing against guys like Sam Steel, Nolan Patrick, guys like that every night. I thought I did well for my first year.”

Hayes scored a pair of goals, getting his first one on Jan. 18 on the road against the Kootenay Ice. 

Zack Hayes, who was recognized by NHL Central Scouting today, scores his first WHL career goal to put Raiders up 1-0 #HayeserWithALaser pic.twitter.com/tcNFlWSDHg

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) January 19, 2017

Hayes also was one of the Raiders’ toughest players. He tied overage captain Tim Vanstone for the Raiders’ lead in fights with six. His best may have been his first, taking on Ty Gerla on the road against the Edmonton Oil Kings. 

Can’t mess with Zack Hayes either pic.twitter.com/D3ZaNvVYRL

— Jeff D’Andrea (@Jeff_paNOW) October 22, 2016

Jeff D’Andrea is paNOW’s sports reporter. He can be reached at jdandrea@jpbg.ca or tweet him @jeff_paNOW.