The Hamilton Hammers have their first-ever player. The club announced today that it’s signed forward Matthew Highmore to a two-year AHL contract, making him the inaugural signing as the team gears up for its first season this October.
Highmore, 30, comes from Halifax, Nova Scotia, and steps into his ninth season of pro hockey. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound forward played 70 games with the Bridgeport Islanders last season, putting up 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points, third on the team in scoring.
His résumé runs deep. Across 301 career AHL games, Highmore has racked up 76 goals and 130 assists for 206 points, earning two AHL All-Star nods along the way. He’s also logged 187 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis Blues, and Ottawa Senators. Back in his junior days in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, he won a 2017 QMJHL championship with the Saint John Sea Dogs.
The Hammers open their inaugural season in October 2026 at TD Coliseum. Season seat membership deposits for 2026-27 are available now at HamiltonHammers.com.