FOXBORO — Another dream and another reality for Dorchester’s own Jimmy Hayes.

Nearly six months ago, General Manager Don Sweeney acquired Hayes from the Florida Panthers in exchanged for Reilly Smith and the contract of Marc Savard. At that point, he realized that his dream of playing for his hometown team would come true in October. That dream was realized on opening night as Hayes suited up in his first game in Black and Gold against the Winnipeg Jets.

“This has been a dream come true for me, to come home to my hometown with my family and have this opportunity to win a championship for the city is a dream come true,” Hayes said at his introductory press conference with the Bruins media back in July. “I got a call from [Panthers GM] Dale Tallon telling me that I’ve been traded, and he told me I was traded to my hometown. It’s always awkward to get traded, but when you get traded to your hometown team, it’s an incredible feeling.”

That incredible feeling for Hayes turned into a rocky first half of the season for Hayes. Prior to Tuesday’s tilt with the Ottawa Senators, the former Boston College Eagle had only tallied one goal in 21 games. Against the Sens, he tallied three. Hats were flying on the TD Garden ice in celebration. That celebration extended into Dorchester as they basked in the moment of their hometown star.

“There have been a lot of fans who have said congrats on that, so it’s been a lot of fun,” Hayes said about the compliments he received after notching the hat trick Tuesday night on Causeway Street.

Playing for his hometown team: check. Scoring his first career hat trick with his hometown team: check.

The next thing that Hayes will check off during his homecoming is Thursday’s Winter Classic. It is just another dream that is becoming a reality.

Over 60,000 players in attendance will see Jimmy Hayes as his homecoming with the Bruins continues. (Photo by Joe Makarski, Bruins Daily)

“Playing for Boston is a dream come true,” Hayes said. “Now to be able to play an outdoor game at Gillette…there’s a ton of history at the stadium and as a kid growing up and watching that history occur, and now to be able to step onto the field and that rink really feels a lot of fun for me.”

Hayes is not the only Massachusetts-born hockey player who will be participating in this year’s Winter Classic. The power forward will be joined by teammate Frank Vatrano, a native of East Longmeadow. On the other side, the Habs have Brian Flynn of Lynnfield and Mike Condon of Needham.

“Mass hockey has been growing pretty well the last few years,” Hayes said about the state of Massachusetts hockey. “There’s been a lot of young stars that have been drafted [from the state] over the last couple of years, and a big credit to them. I’ve known players that have been part of Mass hockey since I was 14 years old, and they’ve been developing players right and left.”

Hayes will have a section full of supporters to celebrate the new year with him at the home of the Patriots. With local friends, family and foes making the trek to One Patriots Place, Hayes wouldn’t want to be spending his New Year’s Day any other way.