Canucks winger Chris Higgins attended Yale University before joining the NHL. The American left wing played two seasons for the Yale Bulldogs while studying political science and competing in the ECAC Hockey conference.
Higgins arrived at Yale after attending Avon Old Farms, a preparatory school in Connecticut. During his freshman season in 2001–02, he led Yale with 31 points in 27 games and was named ECAC Rookie of the Year. He improved to 41 points as a sophomore and shared the 2002–03 ECAC Player of the Year award.
The Montreal Canadiens selected Higgins 14th overall in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, while he was still playing college hockey. He turned professional in 2003–04, reached the NHL with Montreal in 2005–06, and later played for the Rangers, Flames, Panthers, and Vancouver Canucks. Higgins joined Vancouver in February 2011.