Higgins Becomes a Panther
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SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers General Manager Dale
Tallon announced today that the club has agreed to terms with LW
Chris Higgins on a one year contract.
“Chris is a big and hard working forward who possesses a
scoring touch,” said Tallon. “He is a three-time
20-goal scorer on the NHL level, who can be relied on to play in
all game situations. Chris, along with the additions of Michael
Grabner, Steve Bernier and Dennis Wideman will all be counted upon
to play an important role in our offense next season.”
Higgins, 27, has played in 349 NHL contests registering 168 points
(92-76-168) and 128 PIM while playing for Montreal (2005-09), the
NY Rangers (2009-10) and Calgary (2009-10). The 6-foot-1, 205-pound
left wing has recorded 20 or more goals in three of his last five
seasons played, including a career best 52 points (27-25-52) during
the 2007-08 campaign. Higgins has played in 22 postseason games,
all with Montreal (2007-09), scoring six goals with five assists
and four PIM.
Tallon Conference
Call
Higgins Conference
Call
A native of Smithtown, NY, Higgins played his college hockey at
Yale University and led the Bulldogs in scoring during both the
2001-02 (14-17-31) and 2002-03 (20-21-41) seasons. He was also
named the 2002 ECAC Rookie of the Year and 2003 ECAC Co-Player of
the Year.
Higgins was originally drafted by the Montreal Canadiens in the
first round (14th overall) in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft.
