Matthew Robertson Bio
Matthew Robertson (born March 9, 2001) is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who plays as a defenceman for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Rangers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2019 NHL entry draft. Listed at 6 foot 4 and 193 pounds, he is known for his defensive reliability, mobility, and physical presence on the blue line. After several seasons developing in the minors, Robertson made his NHL debut in April 2025 and secured a spot on the Rangers opening night roster for the 2025-26 season.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Robertson was born on March 9, 2001, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Growing up in a hockey-focused region of Western Canada, he was introduced to the sport at a young age and progressed through local youth programs before entering the Western Hockey League (WHL) pipeline. Edmonton, long regarded as a hotbed for elite hockey talent, gave him access to strong coaching and high-level competition during his formative years.
Robertson comes from a family with hockey ties, including his older brother Tyler Robertson, who played forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings. That family connection allowed Matthew to share the locker room briefly with his brother during his earliest junior games, providing an early glimpse of the professional pathway he hoped to follow. His size, skating ability, and composure stood out from a young age and helped position him as a notable prospect among his peers.
Path to Hockey
Robertson entered the WHL after being selected by the Edmonton Oil Kings with the seventh overall pick in the 2016 WHL bantam draft. He appeared in seven games during the 2016-17 season, using that short stint to adjust to the pace of major junior hockey. In his first full campaign in 2017-18, he played 67 games and posted seven goals and 17 assists, signalling his offensive upside from the blue line.
Heading into the 2019 NHL entry draft, Robertson was widely viewed as a possible first-round selection and was ranked 26th among North American skaters by the NHL Central Scouting Bureau. The New York Rangers selected him 49th overall in the second round, a moment Robertson described as a lifelong dream coming true. He also represented Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, winning a gold medal while recording two goals and two assists in five games.
Matthew Robertson Career
Early Career (2017-2021)
Robertson spent four full seasons with the Edmonton Oil Kings, steadily increasing his responsibilities and production. After his 24-point rookie season in 2017-18, he bounced back from an early concussion in 2018-19 to record seven goals and 26 assists in 52 games. During the 2019-20 season, he set new personal highs with 13 goals and 34 assists across 60 games, reinforcing his standing as one of the WHL’s top defencemen.
In the COVID-19 shortened 2020-21 season, Robertson produced at a point-per-game pace with four goals and 18 assists in 22 games. His strong two-way play earned him WHL Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star honours and the Defenceman of the Year award in the Central Division. Those performances cemented his reputation as a dependable, mobile defender ready for the professional ranks.
Hartford Wolf Pack Era (2021-2025)
Robertson turned professional in 2021-22 with the Rangers’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He appeared in 65 games and recorded one goal and 10 assists, adjusting to the pace and physicality of pro hockey. He also spent time on the Rangers’ taxi squad during the 2020-21 NHL season, though he did not appear in an NHL game during that stretch.
His 2022-23 season was cut short after 57 games due to a shoulder injury. Although he showed offensive growth, evaluators noted that he needed to tighten his defensive game and reduce turnovers. Over the next two seasons, Robertson split time between Hartford and short recalls to New York, continuing to refine his defensive details, skating, and decision-making.
New York Rangers Era (2025-Present)
Robertson made his NHL debut on April 14, 2025, against the Florida Panthers after being recalled earlier that month. He had opened the 2024-25 season with Hartford before earning his first NHL opportunity. The following autumn, he earned a place on the Rangers opening night roster for the 2025-26 season and scored his first NHL goal on October 18, 2025, against the Montreal Canadiens.
Driving Style and Strengths
Robertson’s game is built around his 6-foot-4 frame, smooth skating, and strong defensive positioning. Coaches have praised his ability to end plays in his own zone, transition pucks cleanly, and contribute on the rush when opportunities arise. While his offensive ceiling has been described as limited compared to his defensive skill set, his mobility, reach, and physicality allow him to log heavy minutes and match up against top opponents.
Notable Events and Milestones
Key milestones in Robertson’s career include his selection 49th overall in the 2019 NHL draft, his gold medal with Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, his first NHL game against Florida in April 2025, and his first NHL goal against Montreal in October 2025. Each step marked a long-awaited arrival on hockey’s biggest stage.
Matthew Robertson Career Wins
Robertson has accumulated individual awards and championship moments at every level of his career so far. His trophy case includes a gold medal with Canada at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup and WHL Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star recognition in 2020-21. While he has yet to capture a professional title, his NHL debut and first NHL goal signal the arrival of a defenceman prepared to contribute to the Rangers’ pursuit of postseason success.
Junior Highlights
Robertson earned WHL Eastern Conference Second Team All-Star honours and Central Division Defenceman of the Year in 2020-21 after a standout shortened season with Edmonton. He also helped Canada win gold at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, recording four points in five games.
Matthew Robertson Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Robertson grew up in Edmonton, Alberta, in a family with a clear hockey tradition. His older brother, Tyler Robertson, played forward for the Edmonton Oil Kings and shared the ice with Matthew during his earliest WHL appearances. That family connection helped shape his understanding of the game and reinforced his drive to reach the professional level.
2025 Season Performance
Robertson opened the 2025-26 season on the Rangers’ NHL roster after earning his first career NHL goal the previous spring. His steady play on the blue line has provided the Rangers with another large, mobile defenceman capable of logging responsible minutes. Working alongside the Rangers’ coaching staff, he has continued to focus on simplifying his game, limiting turnovers, and using his skating to break the puck out of pressure.
As the season progresses, Robertson is expected to be measured by his defensive consistency, his ability to stay healthy, and his growth within the Rangers’ defensive rotation. With an entry-level contract now behind him and a qualifying offer in hand, his long-term role in New York will depend on how well he translates his AHL success into sustained NHL contributions.