Gavin Hayes Wins Gold with Team USA at World Junior Championships
January 5, 2024 - Ontario Hockey League (OHL)
Flint Firebirds News Release
FLINT, Mich. - USA Hockey and Firebirds forward Gavin Hayes took the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships on Friday in Gothenburg, Sweden by virtue of a 6-2 win over Sweden. Hayes becomes the fourth Firebird to win a gold medal at World Juniors.
Hayes played in all seven games for the United States and recorded two assists during the tournament. Team USA went undefeated in the tournament and won gold for the sixth time.
Hayes joins Brennan Othmann (Canada, 2022), Ty Dellandrea (Canada, 2020) and Vili Saarijarvi (Finland, 2016) as Firebirds to bring home a gold medal from World Juniors.
Additionally, Firebirds center Simon Slavicek spent the tournament in Sweden with Team Czechia on its extended roster as a potential injury replacement. Slavicek and the Czechs were awarded the bronze medal after they defeated Finland, 8-5.
Hayes, who is signed to an entry level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks, has played in 27 games for the Firebirds this season and has a team leading 19 goals along with 17 assists. The Westland, Michigan native is the only American-born player on the Firebirds roster.
The Firebirds return to action on Friday night at home against the Peterborough Petes. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Dort Financial Center.
Ontario Hockey League Stories from January 5, 2024
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- Firebirds Winners At Home Over Peterborough, 3-1 - Flint Firebirds
- Sztuska Stops 34/36 as Petes Fall Short Against Firebirds - Peterborough Petes
- Gavin Hayes Wins Gold with Team USA at World Junior Championships - Flint Firebirds
- 17 CHL Players Earn Medals at the 2024 World Juniors - OHL
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- Bloom Reassigned to OHL by Canucks, Subsequently Signed by Saginaw - Saginaw Spirit
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