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OHL Flint Firebirds

Firebirds' Gavin Hayes to Take Part in USA Hockey's World Junior Summer Showcase this Weekend

July 27, 2023 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release


Flint, Mich. - Coming off a career-high 41-goal, 81-point season with the Flint Firebirds, Gavin Hayes has been selected to participate in Team USA's 2023 World Junior Summer Showcase this weekend at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth, Mich.

"It's definitely an honor to be invited to the Summer Showcase," Hayes said. "Getting to practice and play against the best kids my age not only here in the U.S., but from Sweden and Finland as well, is a great opportunity for me in my career."

The World Junior Summer Showcase, which will also include players from Finland and Sweden, serves as an evaluation for players trying to make their respective national teams for the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship. USA Hockey hosts either the World Junior Summer Showcase or National Junior Evaluation Camp each summer in preparation for the World Junior Championships every December.

"The talent and compete level will be off the charts," Hayes added. "With all the great players around me, it will make me a better player, and hopefully lead to me achieving my goal of making Team USA this winter at the World Junior Championships."

The Westland, Mich.-native was selected by the Firebirds in the first round (16th overall) of the 2020 OHL Priority Selection. He went on to score 19 G and 30 A in 65 GP in his first year with Flint, setting four franchise rookie records along the way. He followed that up with an even better sophomore season, becoming just the third Firebird in franchise history to score 40 or more goals in a season and his 81 points were the fifth-most in a single season since the team move to Flint in 2015.

The 6-foot-2, 178-pound winger was a third-round selection (#66 overall) of the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2022 NHL Draft. He signed his entry-level contract with Chicago this past April. Hayes is one of just five American OHL players to be selected for the showcase.

Practices are underway at USA Hockey Arena in Plymouth and are free to attend for the public. Hayes and Team Blue are in action Saturday, July 29 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Sweden, Monday, July 31 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Finland, Wednesday, August 2 at 4:00 p.m. vs. Team White, and conclude action Friday, August 4 at 1:00 p.m. vs. Sweden. Tickets to all games can be purchased HERE.

The Flint Firebirds return to action on Friday, September 29 at 7:07 p.m. against the Soo in the GFL Memorial Gardens. They return home the next day for the Home Opener against the Kitchener Rangers at 7:00 p.m.

2023-24 Flint Firebirds Season Memberships are on sale NOW! Memberships start as low as $408 for the full season. Benefits for full-season membership holders include FREE parking ($340 value), $102 of ticket savings for all of the 2023-24 season, (4) complimentary tickets to regular-season games in Saginaw, (2) buddy vouchers to bring a friend to any Firebirds' game, any game unused ticket redemption and an exclusive invitation to team and player events.

Single-game and Group Tickets along with Suite Rentals will be available for purchase at a later date. Additionally, the 2023-24 Flint Firebirds Promotional Schedule will be announced later in the summer.

Check out the Flint Firebirds Statistics

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Ontario Hockey League Stories from July 27, 2023


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