Former NHL star Jimmy Hayes has died suddenly at his home, aged 31.

Hayes - a married father of - was pronounced dead at the scene of the property in Milton, a suburb of Boston, after emergency responders had been called on Monday morning.

No in addition facts on his cause of demise has been released, however a law enforcement official stated it was not being treated as suspicious.

Hayes - best known for his years with the Boston Bruins - were celebrating his son Beau's birthday with his spouse Kristen on Sunday.

The 6'5", 15-stone right winer played 334 games in the NHL for four teams including the Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.

He was drafted 60th overall by Toronto Maple Leafs in 2008 and made his NHL bow for the Blackhawks three years later.

He amassed a total of fifty four goals and 109 points during his NHL profession and retired in 2019 after stints with Binghamton Devils and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins withinside the AHL.

Hayes co-hosted a podcast following his retirement with fellow ex-NHL stars Shane O'Brien and Scottie Upshall named 'Missin Curfew'.