Hay started his junior career with the
Regina Pats in the
Western Canada Junior Hockey League in 1952–53 and played for the
Saskatchewan Huskies of the
Western Canadian Intercollegiate Athletic Association the following season. He returned to the Pats in 1954–55 when they made it to the
Memorial Cup, which they lost to the
Toronto Marlboros in five games. In 1955–56, Hay began playing with the
Colorado College Tigers. He was named to the
WCHA First All-Star Team twice and to the
NCAA First All-Star Team twice. He also earned a berth on the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team in 1956–57. Hay started his pro career in 1958–59 with the
Calgary Stampeders of the
Western Hockey League. In 53 games he recorded 24 goals and 30 assists. The following season he made his debut in the
National Hockey League with the
Chicago Black Hawks. In his rookie season he recorded 55 points and was awarded the
Calder Memorial Trophy and a spot in the
1960 NHL All-Star Game. In
1960–61, Hay and his linemates
Bobby Hull and
Murray Balfour helped the Black Hawks win their first
Stanley Cup since
1937–38. Hay continued to play for the Black Hawks until his retirement in 1967. ==Hockey executive career==