Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Avery Hayes is on fire! From a two-goal NHL debut to multiple AHL hat tricks, find out why Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton and when he’s heading back to the big leagues.
The Pittsburgh Penguins might have just found their next diamond in the rough. While the hockey world focuses on the Olympics, one prospect is making so much noise in the American Hockey League that he’s impossible to ignore. It’s official: Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, and the NHL is calling.
Avery Hayes: February 2026 Stat Tracker
| Event | Date | Achievement |
| NHL Debut | Feb 5, 2026 | 2 Goals vs. Buffalo Sabres |
| AHL Return | Feb 7, 2026 | Hat Trick (OT Winner) vs. Hershey |
| Recent Game | Feb 18, 2026 | Hat Trick vs. Springfield |
| Season Form | Last 5 Games | 8 Goals, 1 Fight |
| WBS Record | Current | 33-13-3-2 (71 Points) |
A Debut for the Ages in Pittsburgh
Most players dream of just stepping onto NHL ice, but Avery Hayes decided to take it a step further. On February 5, Hayes donned the Penguins sweater for the first time against the Buffalo Sabres. He didn’t just participate; he dominated. Scoring on his very first shot in the first period, he added a second goal before the opening frame even ended.
Even though he was reassigned during the Olympic break, the momentum didn’t stall. In fact, Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton since returning to the AHL. His performance in the NHL proved he can play with the best, and his current tear in the minors proves he’s simply too good for that level of competition.
Dominating the AHL: Two Hat Tricks in Two Weeks
When a player gets sent back down after a taste of the NHL, they usually go one of two ways: they pout, or they produce. Hayes chose the latter. In his first game back with the Baby Pens on February 7, he dismantled the Hershey Bears. Not only did he score the first two goals of the game, but he also capped off the night with an overtime winner to complete the hat trick.
It wasn’t a fluke, either. This past Wednesday against the Springfield Thunderbirds, the story remained the same: Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He recorded another hat trick, showing a level of offensive instinct that the Penguins’ main roster desperately needs for their bottom-six depth.
Grit, Goals, and a Fight with a Former Penguin
Hayes isn’t just a “finesse” player who waits for the puck to come to him. He’s proven he has a mean streak, too. Last Sunday, in a gritty matchup against the Cleveland Monsters, Hayes dropped the gloves with former Penguins veteran Zach Aston-Reese.
The fact that Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton while also being willing to stand up for himself and his teammates is exactly what management wants to see. He possesses that rare “power forward” blend—the ability to put the puck in the net and the willingness to get his jerseys dirty in the corners.
Why an NHL Recall is Inevitable
The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are currently sitting pretty with 71 points and a 33-13-3-2 record. While the team success is great, the individual narrative is centered on one man. Fans and analysts are in agreement that Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, making him the prime candidate for a permanent promotion once the Winter Olympics conclude.
The Pittsburgh Penguins are looking to get younger and faster. Hayes fits that mold perfectly. He has shown he can score at the highest level, and his recent AHL surge suggests he has nothing left to prove in the minors. Expect him to be a fixture in the Penguins’ lineup for the final stretch of the 2025-26 season.
Conclusion
It’s rare to see a prospect catch fire quite like this. From his two-goal NHL debut to his multiple hat tricks in the AHL, Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. He’s a player who plays with high energy, a lethal shot, and a surprising amount of grit. For Penguins fans, the future looks incredibly bright with Hayes leading the youth movement. If he keeps this up, the “WBS” jersey won’t be in his locker for much longer.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How many goals did Avery Hayes score in his NHL debut?
Avery Hayes scored two goals in his NHL debut on February 5, 2026, against the Buffalo Sabres, including a goal on his very first shot.
2. How many hat tricks has Hayes recorded recently?
Since being reassigned to the AHL for the Olympic break, he has recorded two hat tricks—one against the Hershey Bears and one against the Springfield Thunderbirds.
3. Why is Avery Hayes in the AHL right now?
He was reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton during the NHL’s Olympic break to ensure he keeps getting playing time while the primary league is on hiatus.
4. Who did Avery Hayes fight recently?
Hayes got into a significant fight with former Pittsburgh Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese during a game against the Cleveland Monsters.
5. What is the current record for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton?
Thanks in part to the fact that Avery Hayes Can’t Stop Scoring For Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, the team has a record of 33-13-3-2 and sits at 71 points.
