Matthew Highmore Bio
Matthew Highmore (born February 27, 1996) is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward who plays for the New York Islanders of the National Hockey League (NHL). Known for his two-way play and defensive responsibility, Highmore has built a career as a reliable bottom-six forward across multiple organizations. Standing 180 centimeters tall and weighing 85 kilograms, he has earned recognition for his work ethic, penalty killing, and consistent effort in every zone.
Originally from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Highmore was passed over twice at the NHL Entry Draft before signing with the Chicago Blackhawks as an undrafted free agent in March 2017. He has since suited up for the Vancouver Canucks, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators, establishing himself as a versatile contributor at both the NHL and American Hockey League (AHL) levels.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Highmore was born on February 27, 1996, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Growing up in the Maritimes, he developed his hockey skills in a region known for producing hard-working, detail-oriented players. His early exposure to the sport came through local youth programs that emphasized skating, puck pursuit, and defensive awareness.
From 2008 to 2010, Highmore attended Maritime Varsity Academy, a school focused on athletics, where he balanced his academic development with intensive on-ice training. The academy environment helped him refine the fundamentals that would later define his professional approach, including positioning, stick detail, and reliability in all three zones. His commitment during those formative years laid the groundwork for his transition into major junior hockey.
Path to Hockey
Highmore’s progression into elite-level hockey began when he was selected eighth overall by the Saint John Sea Dogs in the 2012 Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) Entry Draft. He quickly became a key contributor for the Sea Dogs and was named one of the team’s alternate captains during the 2014–15 season. His leadership qualities and consistent production helped him stand out among his peers in one of Canada’s top development leagues.
During his final two seasons with Saint John, Highmore elevated his offensive game. At the end of the 2016–17 campaign, he was named Sea Dogs MVP and captured the Pepsi Top Scorer Award for the second consecutive year after recording 34 goals and 89 total points. He finished third in playoff scoring, trailing only teammate Mathieu Joseph and Alex Barré-Boulet of the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada. Saint John defeated Blainville-Boisbriand to win the President’s Cup as QMJHL champions and advanced to the 2017 Memorial Cup, where they lost in the semifinal to the Ontario Hockey League’s Erie Otters.
Matthew Highmore Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Despite his major junior success, Highmore went unselected in two NHL Entry Drafts. In March 2017, the Chicago Blackhawks signed him to a three-year NHL entry-level contract as an undrafted free agent, and he was the only member of the 2016–17 Sea Dogs to earn a professional deal without being drafted. He began the 2017–18 season with the Blackhawks’ AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, where he made an immediate impact.
Highmore recorded his first professional hat trick against the Iowa Wild on December 27, 2017, and was later selected for the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic. On February 24, 2018, he became the first Rockford rookie to score more than 20 goals in a season since the IceHogs joined the Blackhawks organization in 2007. He was called up to the NHL on February 26 and made his debut on March 1, 2018, in a 7–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks, recording two shots on goal in just under 13 minutes of ice time. His first NHL goal came on March 10 against the Boston Bruins, and he finished his rookie campaign with the IceHogs Rookie of the Year award after tying for the team lead with 42 points and setting a new franchise rookie goal record with 24 tallies.
Chicago Blackhawks Era (2018–2021)
Highmore attended the Blackhawks’ training camp ahead of the 2018–19 season but was reassigned to Rockford, where he was named an alternate captain in October. His season was cut short on November 13 when he underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder, requiring four to six months of recovery. He spent the following summer training in Halifax with other NHL and AHL players to rebuild his strength.
In 2019–20, Highmore again attended Chicago’s training camp before being sent down, but he was recalled to the NHL on November 26 after posting strong numbers in the AHL. Across 36 games with the Blackhawks, he registered two goals and six points before the season was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. During the 2019–20 playoff bubble, he added three goals and one assist. The pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season limited him to 24 games as Chicago rotated players with similar skill sets through the fourth line.
Vancouver Canucks Era (2021–2022)
On April 12, 2021, Highmore was traded from Chicago to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Adam Gaudette. He made his Canucks debut on April 20 and scored his first Vancouver goal on May 14, 2021, in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames. The very next night, he scored twice in a 4–1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers, giving him three goals in two games to close the season.
During the 2021–22 season, Highmore appeared in 46 games for Vancouver, registering five goals and 12 points. 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 began the season with the Blues’ AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds, where his strong play earned him a selection to the 2023 AHL All-Star Game in January. He was leading Springfield in scoring when he was recalled by the Blues on February 18, 2023.
Highmore made his St. Louis debut on February 19 against the Ottawa Senators and appeared in one additional game before being returned to Springfield on February 23, finishing his brief NHL stint goalless.
Ottawa Senators Era (2023–2025)
As a free agent, Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2023. After attending training camp, he was placed on waivers on October 2 and, after going unclaimed, was assigned to the Belleville Senators in the AHL. He was recalled on November 9 and made his Ottawa debut that night against Vancouver, appearing in six games and registering one point before being returned to Belleville on December 3. With Belleville, he recorded nine goals and 29 points in 40 games before being recalled again on March 6, 2024.
Highmore suffered an upper-body injury after being checked by Ross Johnston and was placed on injured reserve by Ottawa on March 11, 2024. He was activated and sent back to Belleville on April 14. On June 27, 2024, he signed a one-year, two-way extension with Ottawa. After beginning the 2024–25 season on the injured list and clearing waivers, he was assigned to Belleville before being recalled on January 10, 2025. He made his season debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 11 and scored his first Ottawa goal the next night against the Dallas Stars. Used primarily in a defensive checking role, he made his NHL playoff debut on April 20 in Game 1 of Ottawa’s first-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs. He was replaced in the lineup by Nick Cousins beginning in Game 2 as the Senators were eliminated in six games.
New York Islanders Era (2025–Present)
After leaving Ottawa as a free agent, Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders on July 1, 2025. He attended Islanders training camp but did not earn a roster spot and, after clearing waivers, was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders in October. He was recalled by New York on October 23 alongside defenceman Marshall Warren, returning to the NHL roster and providing forward depth for the organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Highmore is widely regarded as a dependable two-way forward whose value comes from his defensive reliability, penalty killing, and willingness to play a physical, detail-oriented game. Coaches have consistently deployed him in checking roles and on the fourth line, where his forechecking, faceoff responsibility, and shot-blocking have made him a trusted complementary piece. His ability to adapt to bottom-six duties while still contributing occasional offence has defined his NHL career.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Highmore’s signature achievements are his 2017 QMJHL championship with the Saint John Sea Dogs, his 2018 IceHogs Rookie of the Year award, and his selection to back-to-back AHL All-Star Games in 2018 and 2023. He also became the first Rockford rookie to record more than 20 goals in a season since the IceHogs joined the Blackhawks organization in 2007, a milestone he capped by setting a new franchise rookie goal record with 24 tallies.
Matthew Highmore Family
Personal Life
Matthew Highmore grew up in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and continues to maintain ties to the region. He trained in Halifax during summer rehabilitation periods, working alongside other NHL and AHL players, reflecting his commitment to giving back to his hometown community. Beyond his athletic development at Maritime Varsity Academy, limited public information is available about his broader family or personal relationships.
2025 Season Performance
Matthew Highmore’s 2025 calendar year has unfolded across two NHL organizations. He opened the year with the Ottawa Senators, where he made his 2024–25 season debut on January 11 against the Pittsburgh Penguins and scored his first Ottawa goal the following night versus the Dallas Stars. Used in a defensive checking role, he appeared in a limited number of NHL games before being reassigned to the Belleville Senators in the AHL.
After becoming an unrestricted free agent, Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders on July 1, 2025. He attended Islanders training camp but did not make the opening roster and, after clearing waivers, was assigned to the Bridgeport Islanders in October. He was recalled by New York on October 23 alongside defenceman Marshall Warren, rejoining the NHL roster and providing the Islanders with additional forward depth as the 2025–26 season progresses.