Highmore, Bear, McWard Sign Two-Way Deals

Jul 1, 2025

The New York Islanders have signed forward Matthew Highmore, along with defensemen Ethan Bear and Cole McWard, to one-year, two-way (NHL/AHL) contracts.

 

Highmore, 29, has 35 points (14 goals, 21 assists) in 187 NHL games with the Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues, Vancouver Canucks, and Chicago Blackhawks. He recorded six points (two goals, four assists) in 41 games with the Senators last season and added 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 23 games with Ottawa’s American Hockey League affiliate, the Belleville Senators, where he served as an alternate captain.

 

A native of Halifax, NS, Highmore has 166 points (61 goals, 105 assists) in 231 career AHL games with the Senators, Springfield Thunderbirds, and Rockford IceHogs. He is a two-time AHL All-Star (2018, 2023) and posted career-highs in goals (19), assists (42), and points (61) in 68 games with Springfield in 2022-23.

 

Prior to turning pro, Highmore scored 247 points (90 goals, 157 assists) in 289 games with the Saint John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL). He won the 2017 QMJHL Championship alongside Islanders forward Julien Gauthier.

 

Bear, 28, has 67 points (17 goals, 50 assists) in 275 NHL games with the Washington Capitals, Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Edmonton Oilers. He registered four points (one goal, three assists) in 24 games with the Capitals last season, and recorded 46 points (10 goals, 36 assists) and a +33 rating in 62 games with Washington’s AHL affiliate, the Hershey Bears.

 

The Regina, SK native led all Bears’ players in points and assists last season, finished second in the AHL in plus-minus, and represented Hershey at the 2025 AHL All-Star Classic. He was also named to the AHL’s Second All-Star Team. Bear has 95 points (22 goals, 73 assists) in 151 career AHL games with Hershey and the Bakersfield Condors.

 

Prior to turning pro, Bear recorded 192 points (66 goals, 126 assists) in 264 games with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League (WHL). He helped Seattle capture the 2017 WHL Championship alongside Islanders forward Matthew Barzal and was named the Bill Hunter Trophy winner as the WHL’s Top Defensemen. On the international stage, Bear won the Gold Medal with Team Canada at the 2023 World Championship.

 

McWard, 24, won the 2025 Calder Cup Championship with the Abbotsford Canucks last season, recording 26 points (six goals, 20 assists) in 67 AHL regular-season games and two points (one goal, one assist) in 12 playoff contests. He has 43 points (10 goals, 33 assists) in 124 career AHL games with Abbotsford in addition to one goal in six NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks.

 

A native of Fenton, MO, McWard spent two seasons at Ohio State University from 2021-23, recording 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in 75 games. He also played parts of four seasons with the Tri-City Storm of the United States Hockey League (USHL) from 2018-21, collecting 57 points (23 goals, 24 assists) in 149 games. McWard served as team captain during the 2020-21 season.