Chris Higgins (ice hockey)
Christopher Higgins | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christopher Robert Higgins June 2, 1983 Smithtown, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Ice hockey player (former), coach |
| Years active | 2003–2016 (player), 2019–present (coach) |
| Known for | NHL player for Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, Vancouver Canucks; Skills and Development Coach for Vancouver Canucks |
Christopher Robert Higgins (born June 2, 1983) is a former American ice hockey player and current professional coach, serving as the skills and development coach for the Vancouver Canucks in the National Hockey League (NHL). Selected 14th overall in the first round of the 2002 NHL entry draft by the Montreal Canadiens, Higgins spent two seasons playing for the Yale Bulldogs, where he earned the ECAC Hockey Player of the Year award during his sophomore year before turning pro in the 2003–04 season. After two years with Montreal’s AHL team, the Hamilton Bulldogs, he advanced to the NHL in 2005–06 and achieved three straight seasons with at least 20 goals. Higgins was traded to the New York Rangers in June 2009, then had brief stints with both the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers, ultimately joining the Canucks in February 2011. On the international stage, he represented the United States at two World Junior Championships (2002 and 2003) and one World Championship in 2009.
Amateur career (1998–2003)
Higgins spent four years playing high school hockey at Avon Old Farms, a preparatory school in Connecticut, graduating in 2001. He then enrolled at Yale University to compete in NCAA Division I hockey within the ECAC Hockey Conference, choosing Yale over offers from Boston College and Harvard. During his freshman year (2001–02), he led Yale with 31 points (14 goals and 17 assists) across 27 games, earning accolades such as ECAC Rookie of the Year, All-Rookie Team, and Second All-Star Team honors.
In the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, Higgins was picked 14th overall by Montreal, becoming the first ECAC player selected in the first round since Normand Lacombe in 1983. Returning for his sophomore season at Yale, he improved his scoring to 41 points over 28 games while again leading his team. His outstanding performance earned him co-recipient honors as ECAC Player of the Year, a place on the First All-Star Team, and recognition as an NCAA East All-American.
Montreal Canadiens (2003–2009)
Following his second collegiate season, Higgins signed a three-year entry-level contract with Montreal on May 22, 2003. He made his NHL debut on October 11, 2003, appearing briefly in a 4–0 victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Finding it difficult to secure a permanent roster spot, he was often a healthy scratch during October and was assigned to Montreal’s AHL affiliate, the Hamilton Bulldogs, by month’s end. In the 2003–04 season, he tallied 48 points over 67 games for Hamilton, ranking fifth on the team. Due to the NHL lockout in 2004–05, Higgins remained with Hamilton and increased his output to 51 points, placing third among Bulldogs scorers.
When NHL play resumed in 2005–06, Higgins earned a roster spot with Montreal out of training camp and netted his first NHL goal on October 6, 2005, against Kevin Weekes of the New York Rangers. He concluded that season with 23 goals—seventh highest among rookies—and added 15 assists for a total of 38 points.
Early in the following season (2006–07), Higgins sustained a sprained left ankle but had already led Montreal with eight goals prior to injury. Limited to just 61 games that year, he matched his previous season’s totals with 22 goals and contributed 16 assists. As a restricted free agent after that campaign, he re-signed with Montreal on June 25, 2007, agreeing to a two-year contract worth US$3.4 million. Ahead of the 2007–08 season, Higgins was appointed an alternate captain and achieved career-best statistics with 27 goals, 25 assists, and a total of 52 points. On November 11, 2008, he recorded his first NHL hat trick during a commanding 4–0 win over the Ottawa Senators. However, his scoring production dipped to just 23 points over 57 games during his fourth NHL season.
Rangers, Flames, and Panthers (2009–2011)
Following a season marked by career-low performance, Higgins was traded by the Canadiens to the New York Rangers on June 30, 2009. The deal included Ryan McDonagh, Pavel Valentenko, and Doug Janik heading to New York in exchange for Scott Gomez, Tom Pyatt, and Michael Busto. As a restricted free agent, he secured a one-year contract worth US$2.25 million with the Rangers six days later. Higgins netted his first goal for New York on November 3, 2009, facing the Vancouver Canucks. Despite this, offensive challenges continued as he managed only 15 points over 55 games.
On February 2, 2010, Higgins was traded to the Calgary Flames along with Aleš Kotalík in return for Olli Jokinen and Brandon Prust. He scored his inaugural goal for Calgary on March 9, an empty-netter against the Detroit Red Wings. Unfortunately, a foot injury two days later caused him to miss the final 14 games of the regular season. Across both teams that year, Higgins tallied eight goals and 17 points in 67 contests.
As an unrestricted free agent, Higgins inked a one-year deal valued at US$1.6 million with the Florida Panthers on July 2, 2010. Although he considered staying with Calgary, he was drawn to Florida by new GM Dale Tallon, recognized for his role in assembling the Stanley Cup-winning Chicago Blackhawks. In December 2010, Higgins missed four games due to a staphylococcal foot infection that was initially mistaken for "skate bite" and later a spider bite. He also sat out seven more games in January because of a hamstring injury.
Vancouver Canucks (2011–2016)
With the Panthers falling out of playoff contention late in the season, they began trading veteran players. On February 28, 2011, Higgins was sent to the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for defensive prospect Evan Oberg and a third-round draft pick in 2013. After recovering from injury, he made his Vancouver debut on March 10 and scored his first two goals for the team on March 27. He closed out the season with a combined total of 13 goals and 28 points over 62 games split between Florida and Vancouver. Although primarily utilized as a bottom-six forward during the regular season, Higgins moved up to the second line in the playoffs alongside Ryan Kesler and Mason Raymond. The Canucks entered as Presidents' Trophy winners and advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals but were defeated in seven games by the Boston Bruins. Playing through a broken left foot sustained during the second round, Higgins contributed four goals and eight points across 25 playoff games, including three game-winning goals—matching a team playoff record.
In the offseason, Higgins agreed to a two-year contract worth $3.8 million with Vancouver before reaching unrestricted free agency. During the 2011–12 campaign, he battled two staph infections that caused him to miss 11 games but continued competing despite lingering effects. Initially part of the "American Express Line" alongside Kesler and David Booth, he later transitioned into a defensive shutdown role on the third line with Jannik Hansen and Samuel Påhlsson. Recognized as one of Vancouver’s most reliable forwards, Higgins earned the Fred J. Hume Award as the team's "unsung hero." He appeared in 71 games that season and posted his best offensive numbers in four years with 43 points (18 goals and 25 assists).
On April 2, 2013, Higgins secured a four-year contract extension valued at $10 million with Vancouver.
During the 2015–16 season, after unsuccessful trade negotiations, Higgins was placed on waivers on January 12, 2016. After clearing waivers, he was assigned to the Utica Comets (AHL). Due to injuries affecting both rosters, he was recalled on March 19 and completed the season with Vancouver.
On June 27, 2016, as part of a contract buyout by the Canucks, Higgins was again placed on waivers. Unable to obtain another NHL contract afterward, he accepted a professional tryout (PTO) offer from his former club Calgary Flames on August 30 but was released from this tryout on October 10.
International competition
During his collegiate years, Higgins took part in back-to-back World Junior Championships. In the 2002 tournament, he registered four goals and two assists across seven matches, aiding the U.S. team in advancing to the quarterfinals, where they were defeated 6–1 by Russia. The subsequent year at the 2003 event, he again tallied six points, with three goals and three assists. The United States fell short in the semifinal against Canada 3–2 and subsequently lost the bronze medal contest 3–2 to Finland.
Higgins made his first appearance with the U.S. senior national team during the 2009 IIHF World Championship, where he scored one goal in a 4–3 overtime defeat to Switzerland. The American squad was eliminated in the semifinal by Russia and then lost the bronze medal match 4–2 to Sweden.
Coaching trajectory
On September 11, 2019, Higgins returned to the Vancouver Canucks organization as assistant director of player development. Later, on December 23, 2020, he transitioned into the role of Skills and Development Coach for the team.
Playing characteristics
Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 203 pounds, Higgins is primarily known as a power forward. He is valued for being a versatile two-way player with proficient skating skills, contributing on offense while upholding defensive duties. Throughout his career, he has alternated between playing as a winger and at center. Early comparisons linked him to Dallas Stars forward Brenden Morrow.
Personal background
Raised in Smithtown, New York, Higgins is the second oldest among five siblings. His father, Robert, serves as a firefighter in New York City, while his younger brother works as an officer with the NYPD.
As a youth player, Higgins competed in the Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournaments in 1996 and 1997 representing Connecticut Yankees and New York Islanders minor teams. He played alongside future NHL colleagues Mike Komisarek and Eric Nystrom, with whom he maintains close relationships. During his adolescence, he trained under Lithuanian coach Aleksey Nikiforov. Although his upbringing was on Long Island, he supported the Montreal Canadiens due to his father's influence; his favorite players included goalie Patrick Roy and captain Kirk Muller.
Higgins attended Avon Old Farms high school’s hockey program in Connecticut before enrolling at Yale University for two years. While at Yale, he majored in political science and played on their hockey squad.
He is a father to one daughter.
Regular season and playoffs
| Regular season | Playoffs | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | League | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | ||
| 1999–2000 | Avon Old Farms | USHS | 27 | 19 | 20 | 39 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2000–01 | Avon Old Farms | USHS | 24 | 22 | 13 | 35 | 12 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2001–02 | Yale University | ECAC | 27 | 14 | 17 | 31 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2002–03 | Yale University | ECAC | 28 | 20 | 21 | 41 | 41 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2003–04 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 67 | 21 | 27 | 48 | 18 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2003–04 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2004–05 | Hamilton Bulldogs | AHL | 76 | 28 | 23 | 51 | 33 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | ||
| 2005–06 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 80 | 23 | 15 | 38 | 26 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 61 | 22 | 16 | 38 | 26 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2007–08 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 82 | 27 | 25 | 52 | 22 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 2008–09 | Montreal Canadiens | NHL | 57 | 12 | 11 | 23 | 22 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10 | New York Rangers | NHL | 55 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 32 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2009–10 | Calgary Flames | NHL | 12 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Florida Panthers | NHL | 48 | 11 | 12 | 23 | 10 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2010–11 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 14 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2011–12 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 71 | 18 | 25 | 43 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||
| 2012–13 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 41 | 10 | 5 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 78 | 17 | 22 | 39 | 30 | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| 2014–15 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 77 | 12 | 24 | 36 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |||
| 2015–16 | Vancouver Canucks | NHL | 33 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2015–16 | Utica Comets | _AHL | _22 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 8 | _— | — | — | — | |||
| NHL totals | 711 | 165 | 168 | 333 | 220 | 62 | 11 | 10 | 21 | 10 | ||||
International
| Year | Team | Event | Outcome | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | United States | WJC | 5th place | 7 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 6 | |
| 2003 | United States | WJC | 4th place | 7 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 4 | |
| 2009 | United States | WC | Finished 4th | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | |
| Junior career totals | 14 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 10 | ||||
| Senior career totals | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||||
Awards and honors
| Award | Year |
|---|---|
| All-ECAC Hockey Rookie Team | 2001–02 |
| All-ECAC Hockey Second Team | 2001–02 |
| All-ECAC Hockey First Team | 2002–03 |
| AHCA East First-Team All-American | 2002–03 |