Canadiens Sign Chris Higgins

The Montreal Canadiens have signed 2002 draft pick Chris Higgins to a rookie contract.  Taken 14^th overall, the former Yale Bulldog centerman is coming off another impressive season in the ECAC.  He was among the top ten players in voting for the Hobey Baker award for the NCAA’s top player.  The sophomore center was named co MVP of the ECAC, MVP of his team in 2002-03, and a finalist for the Herb Gallagher Award as the Top Player in New England. Higgins was again the leading scorer for his team, and 6^th overall in ECAC scoring.  He was signed to a 3-year deal by the Canadiens.  The terms were not disclosed.  He will likely play for the Hamilton Bulldogs in the AHL next season.

Higgins was a member of the US National Junior Team for the last two years, were he was the leading scorer for Team USA with 7 points as an 18 year old (4-2-7) and 3^rd in team scoring with 6 points in his final year.  In his NCAA career, Higgins has played 55 games getting 72 points over the two year span, with 34 goals and 38 assists.  This season he had a career year with 41 points in 28 games, notching 20 goals and 21 assists. 

Blessed with excellent skating, stick handling, and hockey sense, he will be an asset to Hamilton.  Higgins can play in any situation, and is equally good at both ends of the rink, but he may have some difficultly adapting to the much longer and tougher schedule of the AHL.  

Other prospects who could be signed 

Montreal will have several roster spots open next season with its AHL affiliate Hamilton since it is the first season that it is no longer sharing the affiliation with Edmonton.  Edmonton will remove its prospects from the team, so Montreal will have to fill those slots (eight) plus any created by graduation to the big club.  Three Habs loaned to Utah should be back, plus whoever else the team signs.  Because of the sudden need for players, prospects or free agents who in other years might not have been signed could be inked this summer.  

Below are some other draft picks who could also be signed, listed in order of likelihood.

Alex Perezhogin, RW.  The last of the 1^st rounders from the last three drafts still unsigned, Alex is coming off a solid season playing in the Russian Super League for Omsk.  He was also a member of the Russian Senior National Team, which is good experience for the young 19 year old.  Taken 25^th overall in ’01, Perezhogin could be brought to North America to bolster a depleted Hamilton team.  The speedy wing can use his top notch skating, stick handling and wrist shot on one of the top two lines in Hamilton if he’s interested.

Duncan Milroy, RW.  Taken 37^th overall in ’01, the Right Wing must be signed by June 1^st or he will reenter the draft.  The playoff and Memorial Cup MVP from last season did not have the best season, but after scoring over 240 points over the last three years in the WHL, management should get the 20 year old inked for Hamilton, but with less then 10 days time is short and the depth at RW makes things tough.

Andrew Archer, D.  A late pick in ’01, taken 203^rd overall this 6’4″ stay at home defensemen also needs to be signed by June 1^st or he will reenter the draft.  The captain of the Guelph Storm of the OHL has been solid in his CHL career, and would be a good addition to Hamilton.  There’s a shortage of depth at right defense, so signing him makes sense, but again time is running short. 

Jonathan Ferland, RW. Another late pick, taken 212^th overall in ’02.  Ferland plays a very physical game along the boards, while being solid in his own end.  The Habs need more players with his size and physical play, and after getting an invite to Team Canada’s National Junior Selection Camp, he has turned things up a notch getting over 80 points while being a +48 for the Titians of the QMJHL.  The 20 year olds career in the Quebec junior league is now completed, so he will need to be signed.

Matt Shasby, D.  Another American defensemen out of the NCAA (Anchorage), this 22 year old was taken 150^th overall in ’99, and now that his college career is now over, he would make a good addition to the Hamilton Bulldogs.  Good size at 6’3″ 199 lbs, and solid skating should help him get a contract this summer or he will become an unrestricted free agent.  After a very good junior year as our most improved prospect, Matt took a step back in his final season, as the team was littered with underclassmen. 

Eric Himelfarb, C.  Taken 171^st overall in ’01, Eric is another player that must be signed before June 1^st or he will reenter the draft.  He was the leading scorer for the OHL Barrie Colts this year, but after an unimpressive playoff run, he may have a hard time landing a deal with so many other young players ready to be brought in.

Comments and questions are welcomed on the Hockey’s Future Canadiens board.