February 25, 2025
Haymes' Return Lifts Dartmouth For Stretch Run
by Joshua Seguin/Staff Writer (@JoshSeguin1)
Before the season began, Luke Haymes was a player that many were talking about in the ECAC, and on the free agent trail. He was a preseason first team ECAC player and last season, as a sophomore, he scored 18 goals.
But before the season began, Haymes broke his hand, which ended his hopes of garnering league awards and possibly national recognition. It also left a big hole for his Dartmouth team to fill.
Now back in the lineup, after missing the first 11 games, Haymes has picked up right where he left off and become a nice mid-season acquisition for Dartmouth, as it battles in a wide open ECAC.
"It was a tough injury," Haymes said. "I was out for eight or so weeks there. It was a big character-building moment for me, as it took me figuring out myself and what it would take to get back. It is hard when you're out for that long, to get your legs and brain back into the game. I think I have done a good job, my linemates have been great and our leadership group has been there throughout."
Haymes, who hails from Ottawa, scored 18 goals and assisted on another 18 last year. He is someone the Big Green look to for offense. Since his return to the lineup the forward has eight goals and another four assists.
"I would like to think (my return has boosted my team)," said Haymes. "We have a great group, our depth is unreal. The important part for me is to do my job, whether that is producing (offense), winning faceoffs, or keeping the puck out of the net. I think those are all things that I can contribute and help my teammates with."
His chemistry with linemate Cooper Flinton is also easily seen. When the two are on the ice, the offense picks up and the two have a knack for finding each other. Cam MacDonald is the other member of that line.
"Cooper is one of my best friends off the ice," Haymes said. "We have been playing together for a while and I think we are just really well connected. We see eachother on the ice, we are predictable for each other and we know how to communicate on the bench."
His size and skill have made him one of the top free agents in college hockey. Dartmouth has had a knack for years of finding gems and developing them into NHL players. It appears Haymes may be the next.
"He is probably the top free agent in college hockey right now, and for good reason," Dartmouth coach Reid Cashman said. "He has been productive for us, but he is also a great two-way player. I just love the way he plays, as he just uses his speed to get behind the defensemen and then he drives the net. He plays the interior well and sees the ice."
The Big Green have struggled with consistency to some degree, but sit in a tie for fifth in the ECAC. There is still an outside chance of a bye, but will need to sweep Brown and Yale this weekend. They will also need some help from Union and Colgate, who are four points ahead. They helped themselves at home Saturday night with a 2-1 win against Union. MacDonald scored the game winner on a beautiful feed from Haymes in the slot.
After reaching the ECAC semis last year, Dartmouth started hot and was earning buzz. But things have been more up and down since. Despite that, Dartmouth can check a box this weekend, looking to take its first Ivy League title since 2007. Although much maligned in hockey circles, the title is important for the six ancient schools and a big tip in the hat as it looks towards bigger goals.
"The biggest thing for us is to continue to grow and develop," Haymes said. "We have a really good opportunity on Friday to win the Ivy league championship, so we are really excited about that. We are extremely focussed now on taking the next steps."
Despite struggling against some of the weaker teams in the ECAC, the Big Green have done well against the other top-six. They have seven wins against that group of teams, with sweeps against Cornell and Union, while also defeating Quinnipiac. There were some struggles, however, against Clarkson and Colgate.
"I think we are still in the top-10 in scoring and we have a lot of talented kids," said Cashman. "Of late, it seems that they just haven't gone in the net as often for us. I love the way we are playing right now and if we can keep following that blueprint, I think we are in a good spot."
Given how wide open the ECAC is heading into the postseason, Dartmouth and Haymes are thinking big. Haymes will enter the tournament as one to watch and his talent could be the difference. The Big Green are still looking for their first ever ECAC title and first NCAA Tournament berth since 1980.
"We have been building towards the playoffs from day one, it has always been our goal," Cashman said. "We have had really good success against some of the better teams and we have really struggled with some teams that we are close to. I just 1-12 is pretty tight this year, so it is going to come down to who is playing the best hockey and special teams. It is wide open and we're super excited to get there."