Nyorai kuenderera mberi kweiyi ndima - Munguva yemwaka, Higgins akasarudzwa 14th yakazara neMontreal Canadiens mu2002 NHL Entry Draft. Akava mutambi wekutanga weECAC Hockey akasarudzwa mumutambo wekutanga weNHL Entry Draft kubvira Normand Lacombe muna 1983
(Buffalo Sabres yakamusarudza wechi10 chose chose). Achidzokera kuYale kweimwezve mwaka, akavandudza kusvika pamapoinzi makumi mana nemasere mumitambo makumi maviri nemasere, achitungamira timu yake mukukora kwegore rechipiri rakateedzana. Higgins akawana ECAC Player of the Year (co-anogamuchira pamwe neCornell Big Red muchengeti wevarindi David LeNeveu) uye First All-Star Team kukudzwa; akazivikanwawo munharaunda paNCAA East All-American Team.