Higgins Ready for Playoff Run

A native of Smithtown, Long Island, it was always Chris Higgins’ dream to one day play for the Montreal Canadiens. Drafted by the Habs in first round in 2002, the fiery winger has done more than accomplish his goal, he’s seized an opportunity and turned himself into one of the most talented players on the team. Rattling off three consecutive 20-goal seasons, Higgins has made himself a household name in Montreal. This season however, the 25-year-old suffered a devastating shoulder injury that kept him off the ice for over a month. Now back on the ice, Higgins is ready to be the leader the Canadiens need to make the playoffs this season.

Chatting with Aces Over Brooklyn after dropping the ceremonial first puck at Aviator Arena before the Brooklyn Aces took on the New Jersey Rockhoppers on Jan. 23, Higgins discusses his up and down season and his hopes for the rest of the year.

Aces Over Brooklyn- You were having an up and down season before you went down. How are you feeling now?

Chris Higgins- I’m feeling really good right now, I’m just about 100 percent. I’ll be playing against Tampa in our first game back after the All-Star break. I’m ready to go. This is the fun part of the season, right before the playoffs and every team is trying to get those points so they can get in because the funnest part of the season is always the playoffs. I can’t wait.

AOB- You were always a huge Habs fan growing up on Long Island. Was that tough?

Higgins- Yeah it was. I was always the only Canadiens fan I knew. That’s for sure. I can say that with the utmost amount of certainty. I was alone because all my friends were Islanders and Rangers fans and they still are. When I play against those teams though, it always makes things extra special.

AOB- What are your expectations for yourself the rest of the season?

Higgins- I want to win the cup. We have a team that is capable of doing it. That is what’s on everyone’s mind in the organization right now.

AOB- In order to do that though, the team has got to step up their play on special teams. Last season, the Canadiens had an excellent powerplay and this season it hasn’t been nearly as good. While the organization is quick to say that former Canadiens defenseman and current Isles defenseman Mark Streit wasn’t as pivotal to the units success last season, what do you think?

Higgins- He [Streit] was a big reason why our powerplay was number one. He’s got a great shot as many of you guys in New York now know. He’s not afraid to use it either. He’s a great guy off the ice and he deserves to be playing every minute that he’s been playing this season. I’m glad he’s been given a shot to be a number one defenseman.

AOB- Did it hurt a bit knowing that All-Star game was in Montreal this season and that if you were healthy, you could have made it? Let’s face it, you’re an extremely popular player there and it’s quite possible you could have made the team. How do you feel about that?

Higgins- It was a bit of a disappointment. It’s something I thought about a lot when I was training. It didn’t happen for me, but it did for Mike Komisarek, which in a way was as special for me as it was for him

Photos by Patrick Hickey Jr.

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