A popular veteran hockey player is back in Vancouver.

Today, Canucks general manager Jim Benning recalled Chris Higgins from the Utica Comets before tonight's home game against the St. Louis Blues.

Higgins was sent down to the minors earlier this year after posting just two goals and one assist in 25 games in a Canucks uniform this season.

At the time, there was speculation that he might have played his final game in Vancouver.

He scored his first American Hockey League hat trick on March 13, earning him a return to the National Hockey League.

Higgins came to Vancouver in 2011 from Florida in a trade for Evan Oberg and a third-round draft pick.