Chicago Blackhawks: Top 10 Prospects Entering 2018

6. Matthew Highmore, C/W [22 years old]

Stats:

Rockford Ice Hogs (AHL) – 64 gp, 24 g, 19 a, 43 p (13 pgp, 2 g, 7 a, 9 p). 8 PPG (2 A), 1 SHG (2 A), 3 GWG, 159 SOG, .67 pts/g [1 PPG (1 A), 1 GWG, 29 SOG, .69 pts/g].

Chicago Blackhawks – 13 gp, 2 g, 0 a, 2 p.

Matthew Highmore was one of the very best players in the AHL this season for the Chicago Blackhawks and looked excellent whenever he was on the ice. He had 24 goals in 64 games and scored nine points in 13 playoff games. Highmore also won a playoff game for the Rockford Ice Hogs and did excellently in terms of rookie scoring.

Matthew Highmore was one of the very best players in the AHL this season for the Chicago Blackhawks and looked excellent whenever he was on the ice.

He was eighth amongst rookies with more than five games played in the postseason in terms of points per game. Highmore was fourth in rookie goal scoring in the regular season, tied for 12th in points per game (greater than 10 games) and in rookie scoring.

This is all despite the fact that he went undrafted, which means his game may not have translated as well. Yet he’s done quite well and looks to do better in the future.

Highmore also did somewhat well in his NHL taste, getting two goals in 13 games. Highmore averaged third-line minutes, had a fairly even zone start percentage (actually tipped towards the defensive zone), and still had a 51.6 percent CorsiFor percentage (3 percent relative).

That indicates bright things for Highmore in the future and while he likely tops out as a third-line scorer, it’s not like the Blackhawks couldn’t use that depth he brings.