Sports stats



USHL Waterloo Black Hawks

NHL Next Stop for Hayes

January 4, 2014 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Waterloo Black Hawks News Release


Waterloo, Iowa-One season in Waterloo helped forward Eriah Hayes find his way to the rink at Minnesota State-Mankato; four years later, the La Crescent, Minnesota, native signed with the San Jose Sharks, and Saturday, Hayes could make his first appearance in the National Hockey League.

The 6-4, 210-pound forward opened the 2013/14 season with the Sharks' American Hockey League affiliate in Worcester, Massachusetts. Hayes scored five goals with three assists in 29 games for the east coast Sharks and was called up by San Jose on Friday. Currently on a road trip, San Jose visits the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday evening and the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Following a season at the junior level with the North American Hockey League's Topeka Roadrunners, Hayes advanced to Waterloo for the 2008/09 campaign. The then-20-year-old finished third among the Black Hawks with 27 goals, trailing only eventual Atlanta Thrashers draft pick Jordan Samuels-Thomas and current Nashville Predators forward Craig Smith. During his single season in Waterloo, Hayes tied for the lead in game-winning goals among the Black Hawks (5) and recorded a pair of three-goal hat tricks.

As a senior last season at Minnesota State-Mankato, Hayes scored 20 goals and helped the Mavericks to the program's first 20-win season in a decade, plus a berth in the NCAA tournament. All totaled, in four years of college hockey, Hayes delivered 52 goals and 44 assists in 153 games.

Two other former Black Hawks - Chad Billins (Calgary Flames) and Patrick Wey (Washington Capitals) - have also made their first NHL appearances during the 2013/14 season. Should Hayes join them, seven Waterloo alumni will have appeared in at least one NHL game this winter, matching a Black Hawks record set in 2011/12. The current group also includes Andrew Albers (Vancouver Canucks), J.T. Brown (Tampa Bay Lightning), Joe Pavelski (San Jose), and Smith. Hayes would become the 16th Waterloo player to advance to the National Hockey League during the history of the Black Hawks franchise.

Check out the Waterloo Black Hawks Statistics



United States Hockey League Stories from January 4, 2014


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Waterloo Black Hawks Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central