Chris Higgins was an accomplished forward for the Yale University Bulldogs from 2001 to 2003. In his sophomore and final season with the team, 2002-2003, he had a stellar year, recording 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points in just 28 games. His impressive performance earned him a spot as a Top 10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Award. That same year, he was named the ECAC Player of the Year and a First-Team All-American, demonstrating his impact as one of the nation’s top players.

After his two years at Yale, Higgins went on to have a long and successful professional career in the NHL. Drafted 14th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in 2002, he played in 711 NHL games over 12 seasons. He was a two-way forward known for his speed, tenacity, and consistent production, scoring at least 20 goals in three consecutive seasons with the Canadiens. He also played for the New York Rangers, Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks before retiring in 2016.