Barrett Hayton emerged as a top prospect in the 2018 NHL Draft after posting a solid season with the Soo Greyhounds during the 2017-2018 OHL season.
The young center put up 21 goals and 39 assists for 60 points in 63 games for the Soo. He added another 21 points in 24 playoff games as the Greyhounds fought their way to Game 6 of the OHL Finals.
During Hayton’s draft eligible season, he was still often ranked as a mid first round prospect. ISS had him ranked at 15th overall. He was ultimately selected 5th overall by Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka.
The pick was a bit of a surprise at the time, but since then Hayton has shown he was deserving of the honor.
Barrett Hayton shown on the bench after scoring a goal in Game 6 of the OHL Finals vs. the Hamilton Bulldogs. The photo has multiple matches to Hayton’s white set game worn jersey.
He returned to Sault Ste. Marie after being selected 5th overall and was promptly named captain. He nearly doubled his production offensively in just over half the amount of games.
In 2019-2020, he made the Arizona Coyotes roster out of training camp.
He scored his first point in his first NHL game and his first goal in his third NHL game. The jerseys he wore in those games are part of my collection, along with the only jersey he wore in a brief stint with the Tucson Roadrunners during a conditioning stint last season.
Hayton also captained Canada to a gold medal at the 2020 World Juniors.
Barrett Hayton’s jersey has decent wear throughout both sides of the jersey. It is also a rare triple patched gamer.
It features the 2018 Regina Memorial Cup patch, the 100 Year Anniversary Memorial Cup patch, and a Dr. Lou patch to honor majority owner Dr. Lou Lukenda who passed away in 2017.
The right sleeve has a few faint stick marks and a mark in the “2” of the sleeve numbers. The sleeve also has a few narrow holes or rips just below the elbow that have interior repair tape behind them. The left sleeve has two unrepaired holes as well.
One of the neater oddities of this jersey is found behind the 2018 Memorial Cup patch on the right sleeve.
As you can see, the Regina 2018 Memorial Cup patch is sewn over another patch which wasn’t removed. The outline on the inside shows that it was actually another 100 Years Memorial Cup patch, which was moved to the front of the jersey on the right breast.
Fellow collector Travis Hager helped me sort that little mystery out.
The front of Hayton’s white set game worn jersey shows the majority of the wear.
There are a couple of stick marks to the right of the Greyhounds crest, and a smattering of tiny puck/stick marks around the OHL patch that have produced several photomatches. There is a reddish mark or stain near the collar of unknown origin. The right shoulder has smudged marks on the yoke as well.
The back of the sweater has a few scattered stick and puck marks around the numbers, and another tape repair on the bottom hem.
Hayton shown in another photomatch to this jersey from the 2018 OHL Finals versus the Hamilton Bulldogs.
Barrett Hayton has began the 2020-2021 NHL season on the Arizona Coyotes top line.
It remains to be seen if head coach Rick Tocchet will keep him there for an extended run, or continue his trend of quick hooks for young prospects like we have seen him have in the past with the likes of Dylan Strome, Lawson Crouse, and Conor Garland.
He tends to severely limit the minutes of these skilled players, and often plays them on lines and in situations that aren’t conducive to their growth.
For now, however, the Coyotes future with Barrett Hayton as it’s top line center is still an achievable dream. How hard he works and how much leash he gets from Tocc will ultimately decide if that dream comes to fruition.