Penguins Cut Forward From Roster and Send Him Back to Junior Team in Surprising Move

June 28th was a massive day for the Hayes family. Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Avery Hayes, who signed a two-year entry-level deal at the end of the 2024-25 season, couldn't help but smile as his younger brother Travis was selected by his club in the fourth round, 105th overall, at the 2025 NHL Entry Draft.

The brothers shared the ice together at the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo recently, and then a second time with the 2025-26 training camp opening.

It was an unusual chance for the brothers to fulfill their hockey dreams under the same NHL umbrella, something that doesn't happen often enough for many hockey families in the world.

It was a week of business and family combined for Avery. An undrafted free agent, he initially signed a two-year AHL contract with the team in 2023, but struggled through injuries prior to last season's 23 goals and 42 points in 60 games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.

His pesky, gritty attitude is still there in camp as he fights for an NHL full-time role. And as for his brother, Travis, unfortunately, his path will now be very different.

The Penguins officially released him from their training camp list earlier today, sending him to the Soo Greyhounds of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Although the brothers won't both be on the same line this year, the Hayes brothers' story in Pittsburgh is just beginning, with one brother chasing his NHL breakthrough, and the other still in pursuit of the same dream, which will now take a little longer.