Flyers' Kevin Hayes playing in late brother's memory

The NHL and hockey communities were shocked to learn last month that former forward Jimmy Hayes died unexpectedly at his Massachusetts home on Aug. 23 at the age of 31. 

Philadelphia Flyers forward Kevin Hayes, the 29-year-old brother of Jimmy, spoke with reporters Friday about playing in his late brother's memory. 

"My brother was a special person. He touched a lot of lives," Kevin said, per Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. "He really enjoyed life and really enjoyed helping others. It sucks that he's gone. It happened way too fast."

The cause of Jimmy's death remains publicly unconfirmed. 

Kevin, meanwhile, underwent abdominal surgery earlier this week and is expected to be out through the start of the regular season and for around six to eight weeks of action, or approximately 10 games. He tallied 12 goals and 19 assists in 55 contests for Philadelphia in 2020-21. 

"It's going to be weird stepping on the ice for the first time knowing that my brother's not there," he added during the news conference. "When I'm having bad days or bad games or not playing up to [what] all the fans want me to here, I'll just think of my brother, and hopefully he'll push me through."