In the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, the Chicago Blackhawks selected forward John Hayden with the 74th pick of the third round. Since then, the development of Hayden within the Blackhawks system has been more than desirable for a prospect of his caliber.
So much so, in fact, that the Blackhawks felt that Hayden had earned himself an entry-level contract with the organization. Hayden chose to decline the contract and return to Yale University for his senior season, where he was named captain of the Bulldogs.
In his NCAA career, Hayden has skated in 119 games and has tallied 85 points (45 goals, 40 assists), including 28 points in 25 games this season.