Matthew Highmore Bio
Matthew Highmore is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a forward. Born on February 27, 1996, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, he is currently signed to a two-year American Hockey League (AHL) contract with the Hamilton Hammers, the new AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, as of June 2, 2026. Standing 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighing 188 pounds, Highmore shoots left and has built his career as a reliable depth forward and defensive specialist.
Undrafted by the National Hockey League (NHL), Highmore began his professional career in 2017 with the Chicago Blackhawks organization. Since then, he has also played for the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators, spending time with several AHL affiliates along the way. He is recognized for his work ethic, penalty-killing ability, and steady two-way play.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Highmore was born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up in the Maritime provinces, he was introduced to hockey at a young age and developed his skills through local youth programs. Halifax has a strong hockey tradition, and Highmore benefited from competing against some of the region’s top young talent as he progressed through minor hockey.
From 2008 to 2010, Highmore attended Maritime Varsity Academy, a school that focused on athletics and supported student-athletes pursuing competitive sports. This environment allowed him to balance his academic responsibilities with intensive hockey training. His time at the academy helped prepare him for the next major step in his development.
Highmore continued to impress in his teenage years, and his performances earned him a high selection in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) entry draft. He would go on to become one of the top scorers in the league during his major junior career.
Path to Hockey
Highmore was drafted eighth overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2012 QMJHL Entry Draft. Joining one of the league’s most respected organizations, he steadily worked his way into a leadership role. During the 2014–15 season, he was named one of the team’s alternate captains, an early sign of the trust his coaches placed in him.
In his final major junior season of 2016–17, Highmore delivered a dominant performance. He was named Sea Dogs MVP and earned the Pepsi Top Scorer Award for the second consecutive year, finishing with 34 goals and 89 total points. His playoff contributions helped Saint John win the President’s Cup as QMJHL champions, and the team advanced to the 2017 Memorial Cup, where they were eliminated in the semi-final by the Erie Otters.
Despite his major junior success, Highmore was passed over in two NHL Entry Drafts. As an undrafted player, he signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Chicago Blackhawks in March 2017, becoming the only member of the 2016–17 Sea Dogs to earn a professional contract without being drafted.
Matthew Highmore Career
Early Career (2017–2018)
Highmore began his professional career in the AHL with the Rockford IceHogs, the Blackhawks’ top affiliate, during the 2017–18 season. He wasted no time making an impact, recording his first professional hat trick against the Iowa Wild on December 27, 2017. His strong play earned him a selection to the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic.
On February 24, 2018, Highmore became the first IceHogs rookie to score more than 20 goals in a single season since the team joined the Blackhawks organization in 2007. After being called up to the NHL, he made his debut on March 1, 2018, against the San Jose Sharks, and scored his first NHL goal on March 10 against the Boston Bruins. He finished his rookie AHL campaign as the IceHogs’ Rookie of the Year with 24 goals and 42 points.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2018–2021)
Highmore split time between Rockford and Chicago over the next two seasons. In 2018–19, he was named an alternate captain for the IceHogs before undergoing right shoulder surgery in November 2018 that forced a four-to-six-month recovery. He returned to action and split the 2019–20 season between the AHL and NHL, recording three goals and one assist during the Blackhawks’ 2019–20 playoff bubble run.
In the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season, Highmore appeared in 24 NHL games, often rotating through the fourth line in a checking role. On April 12, 2021, he was traded to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Adam Gaudette, ending his time in the Blackhawks organization.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2021–2022)
Highmore made his Canucks debut on April 20, 2021, and scored his first goal for the club on May 14, 2021, against the Calgary Flames. The following night, he scored twice in a 4–1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. During the 2021–22 season, he played 46 games and recorded five goals and 12 points, establishing himself as a reliable bottom-six forward.
Following the season, the Canucks declined to issue him a qualifying offer, allowing him to become an unrestricted free agent.
St. Louis Blues Era (2022–2023)
On July 14, 2022, Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the St. Louis Blues. He opened the season with the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, where he led the team in scoring. His strong play earned him a selection to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game. Recalled by the Blues on February 18, 2023, he made his St. Louis debut against the Ottawa Senators on February 19 and played two NHL games before being returned to Springfield.
Ottawa Senators Era (2023–2025)
Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2023. After being assigned to the Belleville Senators, he was recalled on November 9, 2023, and made his Ottawa debut that night against Vancouver. He split the 2023–24 season between Ottawa and Belleville, finishing with nine goals and 29 points in 40 AHL games. He suffered an upper-body injury in March 2024 after a hit from Ross Johnston.
Re-signed to a one-year extension on June 27, 2024, Highmore began 2024–25 on the injured list before being assigned to Belleville. He was recalled on January 10, 2025, and scored his first Senators goal on January 12 against the Dallas Stars. Used primarily in a defensive checking role, he made his NHL playoff debut on April 20, 2025, against the Toronto Maple Leafs before being replaced in the lineup as Ottawa was eliminated in six games.
New York Islanders Era (2025–2026)
Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders on July 1, 2025. After attending training camp, he cleared waivers and was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders on October 1, 2025. He was recalled by New York on October 23, 2025, alongside Marshall Warren.
On June 2, 2026, Highmore was signed to a two-year AHL contract by the Hamilton Hammers, the new AHL affiliate of the New York Islanders, marking a transition back to a full-time AHL role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Highmore is widely regarded as a dependable two-way forward with strong defensive instincts. He is most effective in a checking role, on the penalty kill, and as a bottom-six energy player. His work ethic and skating ability allow him to match up against top opposition lines, and his coaches have consistently trusted him in high-leverage defensive situations.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Highmore’s career highlights are his first professional hat trick against the Iowa Wild, his record-setting 24-goal rookie season in Rockford, and his 2017 President’s Cup championship with the Saint John Sea Dogs. He also reached the NHL playoffs with the Ottawa Senators in 2025, making his postseason debut against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Matthew Highmore Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Matthew Highmore’s parents and immediate family remains limited. He grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and his early development in hockey was supported by the local minor hockey system and his time at Maritime Varsity Academy.
Personal Life
Highmore is known to maintain strong ties to his hometown of Halifax, where he has trained during off-seasons with other professional players. Details about his marital status, spouse, and children have not been publicly disclosed.
2025 Season Performance
Matthew Highmore entered the 2025–26 season under a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders. After being assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders of the AHL to begin the year, he continued to provide veteran leadership and steady two-way play. He was recalled by New York on October 23, 2025, alongside Marshall Warren, marking a return to the NHL level.
Throughout his time in the Islanders organization, Highmore has been utilized in a familiar defensive role, focusing on penalty killing and reliable bottom-six minutes. His experience and professional approach have made him a valuable depth option for New York’s roster.
Looking ahead, Highmore was signed to a two-year AHL contract by the Hamilton Hammers on June 2, 2026, positioning him as a key veteran presence for the Islanders’ new top affiliate as the organization transitions to its new development setup.
