Kevin Hayes' Hockey Career Takes a Drastic Turn On Monday.

Former National Hockey League forward Kevin Hayes has made a rather sad announcement.

On Monday morning it was announced that Hayes, who had recently made the decision to play in the Kontinental Hockey League after being unable to secure an NHL contract over the summer, would actually be stepping away from the KHL after just 5 games.

Not only is Hayes cutting his career in the KHL extremely short, but he will be officially hanging up his skates for good as a professional hockey player.

Hayes had joined KHL team Kazan Ak-Bars but saw very little success over his first 5 games, putting up no points and finishing that stretch with a plus minus rating of -1. It seems that Hayes himself believes that he no longer has what it takes to perform at the highest level, and has made the tough decision to walk away.

"I have decided to end my hockey career," said Hayes in a statement released via the KHL. "I can no longer play at the level I am capable of because my body does not allow me to perform at my best. And I cannot accept not being in top form."

While it's a sad way for Hayes to end his career he did have a remarkable tenure in the NHL and finishes his NHL career with 805 games played in which he had 185 goals and 260 assists for 445 career NHL points.

I wish him nothing but the best in whatever comes next.