FEATURE: HIGHMORE PROUD TO LEAD HAMMERS IN INAUGURAL SEASON
Oct 6, 2026
Last Friday, ahead of the Hammers’ inaugural game in Belleville, it was announced that Matthew Highmore would serve as the first captain in franchise history.
It was a fitting choice for a player who made history with the club earlier this summer, becoming the first player to sign with the Hammers on June 1.
“It’s an honour to lead this group,” said Highmore. “We have so many leaders in this room. I’m really excited about it. I feel really privileged.”
He will be joined in the leadership group by alternate captain Daylan Kuefler, while the club’s second alternate captain will rotate throughout the season.
“Keefs (Kuefler) is somebody who works extremely hard and does all the right things on and off the ice. He has the respect of the room,” said Highmore. “It’s very well deserved for him to have a letter. He is someone that everyone looks up to, with his work ethic and the way he goes about his business.”
Highmore says the decision to rotate the second alternate captain reflects the depth of leadership within the dressing room.
“We’ve created a really, really good culture here with our group, and there are so many guys that lead in different ways,” said Highmore. “Every game is a collective group effort. It just goes to show the amount of character and the good guys we have on our team.”
Highmore and the Hammers opened the season in impressive fashion Friday night, earning a 5-2 victory over the Belleville Senators. Highmore recorded a primary assist on Pierre Engvall’s second-period goal, helping the Hammers build a 3-1 lead at the time.
The Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, native embarks on his eighth AHL season with 206 points, including 76 goals and 130 assists, in 301 career games with the Bridgeport Islanders, Belleville Senators, Springfield Thunderbirds and Rockford IceHogs.
Now, Highmore and the Hammers are set to make their TD Coliseum debut, hosting the defending Calder Cup champion Toronto Marlies for Home Opener Weekend on October 9 and 11. Tickets are available now at HamiltonHammers.com.