Highmore hopes to ‘bring energy’ to Canucks
VANCOUVER — Matthew Highmore is superstitious. Not a little. A lot.
This shouldn’t be surprising because the former Chicago Blackhawks centre, acquired Monday by the Vancouver Canucks in a swap for Adam Gaudette, had his moments in the Windy City. Just not enough of them, and enough time to wonder what went wrong.
Highmore has often been classified as a classic “tweener” — that guy who has to do everything right and consistently to remain in the National Hockey League — and if that means the undrafted middle man requires a manic means to ensure everything is in place before he hits the ice, so be it.
After all, when you’re passed over twice in the NHL Entry Draft and were in a revolving fourth-line rotation of forwards with the Blackhawks, incentive and precise preparations are career constants. His former teammates certainly saw that superstitious side of Highmore.
“They’re pretty accurate — I would say I’m very routine oriented,” he said with a chuckle Tuesday from a Vancouver hotel room, where the 25-year-old Halifax native is starting the league’s mandatory seven-day quarantine period. “That’s just the way I prepare and have always believed if you have a good routine and prepare the same way, you hope to play the same way every night.
“I keep things the same and know what works for me.”
Highmore knew what worked in the 2020 post-season. He had three goals and four points in nine games, and in the pressure-cooker of the restrictive COVID-19 bubble and heightened on-ice expectations it brought out the best in his game and didn’t go unnoticed.
“The bubble was a great step to being the kind of player I want to be,” said Highmore. “A lot of it was keeping my game simple and playing hard and feeling comfortable in the league.
“My game is to bring energy and get in on the forecheck and create turnovers and be responsible defensively. As for offence, I do believe I’m close. I don’t necessarily believe it’s for a lack of chances, and if I look back on this year they just didn’t go in. Sometimes, it’s a little bit of a confidence thing, too, and I’m just looking forward to do anything to help the team.”
Highmore was limited this season to 24 games, 8:50 of average ice time and just two assists. A roster pecking order and a mosh-pit of those who can play the middle didn’t help.
The current congestion of healthy centre options in Chicago includes Pius Suter (age 24), Kirby Dach (19), Dylan Strome (23), Philipp Kurashev (20), David Kampf (25), Vinnie Hinostroza (26) and Ryan Carpenter (29). And captain Jonathan Toews (32) has been absent all season with an undisclosed ailment.
“One thing you appreciate about Highmore is his work ethic and attention to detail,” said Blackhawks coach Jeremy Colliton. “It’s hard to find a bigger team guy with his willingness to do the right thing for the team at all times.”
The Canucks believe Highmore possesses a better overall game than Gaudette, despite just 10 points (4-6) in 73 career NHL games, and they like his alternate captain roles in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, with the Saint John Sea Dogs, and with the American Hockey League’s Rockford IceHogs.
“We feel Highmore plays a more complete two-way game and gives us speed,” said Canucks general manager Jim Benning. “And if given the opportunity, he can score, too.”
The 5-foot-11, 188 pound Highmore did have 24 goals as an AHL rookie in 2017-18 to set a Rockford (Illinois) franchise record before requiring shoulder surgery the following season. He has a year left on his contract at $750,000 US and will get a good look in Vancouver because riddles in the middle remain, outside of captain Bo Horvat.