Professional
Chicago Blackhawks
Despite his success in the QMJHL, Highmore was passed over at the National Hockey League's (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, the Chicago Blackhawks signed him to a three-year NHL contract in March 2017 as an undrafted player. [6] [7] In his last year with the Sea Dogs, he was the only player on the team who earned a professional hockey contract without being drafted. [1]
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. [8] After leading his team in points, Highmore was selected to participate in the 2018 AHL All-Star Classic along with teammate Carl Dahlström. [9] 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. [10] Highmore was called up to the NHL for the first time on February 26. [10] He made his NHL debut on March 1, in a 7–2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. [11] He had two shots on net in under 13 minutes of ice time. [12] Highmore recorded his first NHL goal in a 4–7 loss to the Boston Bruins on March 10. [13] He was reassigned to the AHL on March 27, after playing in 13 games and recording two points. [14] 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. [15] 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. [16]
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. [17] He was later named an alternate captain for the IceHogs in October ahead of the 2018–19 season. [18] On November 13, Highmore underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder and was expected to need four to six months to recover. [19] After rehabilitating, Highmore spent the summer training in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with other NHL and AHL players. [20]
Highmore attended the Blackhawks training camp prior to the 2019–20 season but was reassigned to the IceHogs. [21] He was subsequently named an alternate captain alongside Jacob Nilsson and Tyler Sikura. [22] After recording four goals and six assists in 17 games, Highmore was recalled to the NHL on November 26. [23] In 36 games with Chicago, he recorded two goals and six points before the NHL suspended the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 12, 2020. [24] [25] When play resumed, Highmore recorded three goals and one assist during the Blackhawks' play-in and playoff run during the 2019–20 NHL playoff bubble. [26] However, in the pandemic-shortened 2020–21 season Highmore was limited to just 24 games as the Blackhawks had a glut of players with a similar skillsets as Highmore, rotating them through the fourth line. [26]
Vancouver Canucks and St. Louis Blues
On April 12, 2021, Highmore was traded from the Blackhawks to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for forward Adam Gaudette. [27] He played his first game for the Canucks on April 20. [28] He scored his first goal for the Canucks in a 4–1 loss to the Calgary Flames on May 14, 2021. [29] On May 15, he scored two goals in a 4–1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers. [30] During the 2021–22 season Highmore played in 46 games, registering five goals and 12 points. [31] 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. [32]
The St. Louis Blues signed Highmore to a one-year, two-way contract on July 14, 2022. [31] 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. [33] He was leading the team in scoring when he was recalled by the Blues on February 18, 2023. [34] He played his first game with the Blues against the Ottawa Senators on February 19. [35] He played in one more game before he was returned to Springfield on February 23, going scoreless. [36]
Ottawa Senators
As a free agent, Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Ottawa Senators on July 1, 2023. [37] Highmore attended the Senators training camp, but failed to make the team. He was placed on waivers on October 2, [38] and after going unclaimed, was assigned to Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators. [39] He was recalled by Ottawa on November 9 and made his Ottawa debut that night versus Vancouver. [40] He appeared in six games, registering one point, before being returned to the AHL on December 3. [41] He was recalled again on March 6, 2024. He had nine goals and 29 points in 40 games with Belleville. [42] He played in the following game versus the Anaheim Ducks, registering an assist on the team's first goal. [43] However, Highmore suffered an injury after being checked by Ross Johnston and left the game early. [44] He missed the next two games and was placed on injured reserve with an upper body injury by Ottawa on March 11. [45] On April 14, he was activated off injured reserve and sent to Belleville. [46]
Highmore signed a one-year, two-way extension with Ottawa on June 27, 2024. [47] Highmore was injured in training camp and began the season on Ottawa's injured list, before recovering and after clearing waivers, was assigned to Belleville in October. [48] Ottawa recalled Highmore on January 10, 2025, and he made his 2024–25 NHL season debut against the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 11. [49] [50] He scored his first goal for Ottawa in the following game against the Dallas Stars on January 12. [51] With the Senators, Highmore was used in a defensive checking role. [52] The Senators qualified for the playoffs and Highmore made his NHL playoff debut on April 20 in Game 1 of the opening round versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. [53] He was replaced in the lineup by Nick Cousins beginning in Game 2, as the Senators were eliminated by the Maple Leafs in six games in their best-of-seven series. [54] [55]
New York Islanders
Having left the Senators as a free agent, Highmore signed a one-year, two-way contract with the New York Islanders for the 2024–25 season on July 1, 2025. [56] He attended the Islanders training camp, but failed to make the team and after clearing waivers, was assigned to New York's AHL affiliate, the Bridgeport Islanders in October. [57] He was recalled by New York on October 23 alongside defenceman Marshall Warren. [58]
