Matthew Highmore
Highmore with the Rockford IceHogs in 2018
Born (1996-02-27) February 27, 1996
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Height 5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight 188 lb (85 kg; 13 st 6 lb)
Position Centre/Left wing
Shoots Left
NHL team
Former teams		 Ottawa Senators
Chicago Blackhawks
Vancouver Canucks
St. Louis Blues
NHL Draft Undrafted
Playing career 2017–present

Matthew Highmore (born February 27, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player, currently playing with the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He has previous played for the Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues

Playing career

Highmore was drafted eighth overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) in the 2012 QMJHL Entry Draft.[1] He was awarded alternate captain during the 2014–15 QMJHL season.[2]

Despite his success as an alternate captain in the QMJHL, Highmore was passed over at the NHL Entry Draft twice, the second time being in his last year of eligibility. However, in his last year with the Saint John Sea Dogs, where he led Saint John in assists and points, the Chicago Blackhawks chose to sign him to a three-year NHL contract in March 2017 as an undrafted player.[3][4] In his last year with the Sea Dogs, he was the only player who earned a professional hockey contract without being drafted.[5] At the end of the 2016–17 season, Highmore was named Sea Dogs MVP and was awarded the Pepsi Top Scorer Award for the second year in a row, after netting 34 goals and 89 total points.[6]

Highmore started the 2017–18 season with the Blackhawks American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs. He recorded his first professional hat trick against the Iowa Wild on December 27, 2017.[7] After leading his team in points, Highmore was selected to participate in the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic along with teammate Carl Dahlström.[8] On February 24, 2018, Highmore became the first Rockford rookie to score more than 20 goals in their rookie season since Rockford joined the Blackhawks organization in 2007.[9] Highmore was called up to the NHL for the first time on February 26, 2018.[9] He made his NHL debut on March 1, 2018, in a 7–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks.[10] He had two shots on net in under 13 minutes of ice time.[11] Highmore recorded his first NHL goal in a 4–7 loss to the Boston Bruins on March 10, 2018.[12] He was reassigned to the AHL on March 27, 2018, after playing in 13 games and recording 2 points.[13] On April 13, 2018, Highmore was named the IceHogs Rookie of the Year after he was tied for the team lead with 42 points and ranked fourth among rookies in the league in goals.[14] During the last regular season game before the 2018 Calder Cup playoffs, Highmore set a new IceHogs rookie goal record with his 24th goal of the season.[15]

While attending the Blackhawks training camp prior to the 2018–19 season, Highmore was reassigned to the IceHogs on September 26, 2018, to begin the season in the AHL.[16] He was later named an alternate captain for the IceHogs prior to the 2018-19 season.[17] On November 13, Highmore underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder and he was expected to need four to six months to recover.[18] After rehabilitating, Highmore spent the summer training in Halifax with other NHL and AHL players.[19]

Highmore attended the Blackhawks training camp prior to the 2019–20 season but was reassigned to the IceHogs.[20] He was subsequently named an alternate captain alongside Jacob Nilsson and Tyler Sikura.[21] After recording four goals and six assists in 17 games, Highmore was recalled to the NHL on November 26.[22] Highmore recorded 3 goals and 1 assist during the Blackhawks' play-in and playoff run during the 2019–20 NHL playoff bubble. However, in the 2020–21 season Highmore was limited to just 24 games.[23]

On April 12, 2021, Highmore was traded from the Blackhawks to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for Adam Gaudette.[24] He played his first game for the Canucks on April 20.[25] He scored his first goal for the Canucks in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames on May 14, 2021.[26] On May 15 he scored two goals in a 4–1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.[27] During the 2021–22 season Highmore played in 46 games, registering five goals and 12 points.[28] Following the season Highmore was a restricted free agent, but the Canucks declined to give him a qualifying offer, letting him become an unrestricted free agent.[29]

The St. Louis Blues signed Highmore to a one-year, two-way contract on July 14, 2022.[28] Highmore began the season with the Blues' AHL affiliate, the Springfield Falcons. In January 2023, on the basis of his excellent play with Springfield, Highmore was named to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game.[30] He was leading the team in scoring when he was recalled by the Blues on February 18, 2023.[31] He played his first game with the Blues against the Ottawa Senators on February 19.[32] He played in one more game before he was returned to Springfield on February 23.[33]

As a free agent, Highmore was signed to a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2023.[34] Highmore attended the Senators training camp, but failed to make the team. He was placed on waivers on October 2, 2023[35] and after going unclaimed, was assigned to Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators.[36] He was recalled by Ottawa on November 9 and made his Ottawa debut on November 9, 2023 versus Vancouver.[37]

Personal life

Highmore attended Maritime Varsity Academy, a school that focused on athletics, from 2008 to 2010.[38]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season Team League GP G A Pts PIM GP G A Pts PIM
2012–13 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 30 4 5 9 26 — — — — —
2013–14 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 68 19 31 50 62 — — — — —
2014–15 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 62 11 13 24 60 5 0 1 1 6
2015–16 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 65 22 53 75 38 17 9 11 20 12
2016–17 Saint John Sea Dogs QMJHL 64 34 55 89 46 18 6 18 24 14
2017–18 Rockford IceHogs AHL 64 24 19 43 24 13 2 7 9 2
2017–18 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 13 2 0 2 0 — — — — —
2018–19 Rockford IceHogs AHL 12 3 6 9 6 — — — — —
2019–20 Rockford IceHogs AHL 21 4 8 12 14 — — — — —
2019–20 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 36 2 4 6 6 9 3 1 4 2
2020–21 Chicago Blackhawks NHL 24 0 2 2 6 — — — — —
2020–21 Vancouver Canucks NHL 18 3 2 5 2 — — — — —
2021–22 Vancouver Canucks NHL 46 5 7 12 14 — — — — —
2022–23 Springfield Thunderbirds AHL 68 19 42 61 34 2 0 0 0 2
2022–23 St. Louis Blues NHL 2 0 0 0 0 — — — — —
NHL totals 139 12 15 27 28 9 3 1 4 2

International

Year Team Event Result GP G A Pts PIM
2013 Canada Atlantic U17 8th 5 1 3 4 4
Junior totals 5 1 3 4 4

References

  1. ↑ Palmeter, Paul (May 16, 2017). "Dartmouth's Matthew Highmore gunning for Memorial Cup title". cbc.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Smallman Named New Sea Dogs Captain". sjseadogs.com. September 25, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  3. ↑ Lazerus, Mark (July 20, 2017). "Blackhawks prospects learning there are countless paths to the NHL". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  4. ↑ Roumeliotis, Charlie (March 2, 2017). "Blackhawks sign undrafted free agent forward Matthew Highmore to three-year deal". nbcsports.com. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  5. ↑ MacNeil, John (May 14, 2017). "Highmore set to write final chapter of junior career". thechronicleherald.ca. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  6. ↑ Roszell, Tim (March 20, 2017). "Highmore Named Sea Dogs MVP". sjseadogs.com. Saint John. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  7. ↑ "Highmore's hat trick sparks IceHogs win". Des Moines, Iowa: The Journal Standard. December 28, 2017. Retrieved January 21, 2018.
  8. ↑ Filomeno, Joshua (January 18, 2018). "Dahlstrom, Highmore Named AHL All-Stars". mystateline.com. Rockford. Retrieved January 23, 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Highmore Recalled by Blackhawks". icehogs.com. February 26, 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Joe Pavelski scores twice in Sharks' rout of Blackhawks". sportsnet.ca. March 2, 2018. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  11. ↑ Gilmore, Eric (March 2, 2018). "Pavelski, Jones power Sharks past Blackhawks". NHL.com. Retrieved March 2, 2018.
  12. ↑ Kalman, Matt (March 10, 2018). "Bruins score four in third to defeat Blackhawks". NHL.com. Retrieved March 11, 2018.
  13. ↑ Leber, Scott (March 27, 2018). "Matthew Highmore assigned back to the Rockford IceHogs by the Chicago Blackhawks". mystateline.com. Retrieved March 28, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Rockford Announces 2017–18 Team Awards". icehogs.com. April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 22, 2018.
  15. ↑ Taft, Jay (April 17, 2018). "IceHogs Quick Shots: Matthew Highmore sets rookie goal record". The Journal Standard. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  16. ↑ Robinson, Chris (September 26, 2018). "Ejdsell, Fortin & Highmore Assigned to Rockford". icehogs.com. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  17. ↑ Robinson, Chris (October 5, 2018). "IceHogs Announce Season-Opening Roster". icehogs.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2018. Retrieved November 19, 2018.
  18. ↑ "IceHogs Medical Update: Matthew Highmore". icehogs.com. November 16, 2018. Retrieved November 29, 2018.
  19. ↑ Hall, Travis (September 24, 2019). "Big Offseason Sets Stage For Highmore's Return". icehogs.com. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  20. ↑ Pope, Ben (September 25, 2019). "Finally healthy, AHL-bound Matthew Highmore ready to just play hockey again". Chicago Sun Times. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  21. ↑ "Kris Versteeg Named 2019-20 Team Captain". icehogs.com. October 2, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  22. ↑ Taft, Jay (November 26, 2019). "IceHogs Quick Shots: Matthew Highmore gets call-up to Hawks". Rockford Register Star. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  23. ↑ Kuzma, Ben (April 13, 2021). "New Canucks centre Matthew Highmore had no trouble in the bubble". The Province. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  24. ↑ "Vancouver Canucks deal F Adam Gaudette to Chicago Blackhawks for F Matthew Highmore". TSN. April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
  25. ↑ Arndt, Wyatt (April 21, 2021). "The Armies: Canucks go streaking, Bob Ross rules and Big Save Dave?". The Athletic. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  26. ↑ "Elias Lindholm, Matthew Tkachuk lead the way as Flames crunch Canucks". CBC Sports. The Canadian Press. May 14, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  27. ↑ "Big third period lifts Vancouver Canucks to 4-1 victory over Edmonton Oilers". Red Deer Advocate. The Canadian Press. May 15, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  28. 1 2 "Blues sign Perunovich, Walker". St. Louis Blues. July 14, 2022. Retrieved July 14, 2022 – via NHL.com.
  29. ↑ Laskaris, Adam (July 11, 2022). "Canucks forwards Lammikko and Highmore set to become unrestricted free agents". The Daily Hive. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Hofer, Highmore named to 2023 AHL All-Star Classic". St. Louis Blues. January 12, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Alexandrov, Highmore recalled from Springfield". St. Louis Blues. February 18, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  32. ↑ Palov, Willy (February 19, 2023). "Nova Scotia's Matthew Highmore called up to NHL's St. Louis Blues". Saltwire. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  33. ↑ "Blues assign Highmore to Springfield". St. Louis Blues. February 23, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  34. ↑ Chisholm, Daniel (July 1, 2023). "Free Agency Day One" (Press release). Ottawa Senators. Retrieved July 5, 2023 – via NHL.com.
  35. ↑ "Senators' Matthew Highmore: Hits waivers". CBS Sports. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  36. ↑ "Four more players join Belleville Sens Training Camp from Ottawa". Belleville Senators. October 4, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  37. ↑ "Senators recall forward Matthew Highmore from AHL; Zub taking warm-up". Sportsnet. November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 10, 2023.
  38. ↑ "MVA Alumni Signs with The Blackhawks!". maritimehockey.com. March 3, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
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