Matthew Robertson showed marked improvement when he reported to the New York Rangers training camp in September, and that momentum has carried into the start of the 2024-25 season, where the defenseman prospect has been performing well with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League.
On Wednesday, Robertson recorded two primary assists in Hartford’s 3-2 overtime victory against Grand Rapids. His first assist contributed to the Wolf Pack’s comeback from a 2-0 deficit, as his shot/pass was redirected into the net by Dylan Roobroeck just 2:38 into the third period. Robertson almost scored moments later, hitting the post with a shot. Then, at 16:31, his shot from the blue line was tipped in by Adam Sykora, tying the game and setting the stage for Ryder Korczak’s game-winner in overtime at 2:44.
Robertson’s outstanding performance earned him recognition as the game’s Third Star. The 23-year-old now has four points (one goal, three assists) in six games, having netted his first goal of the season two games ago against Lehigh Valley. He had scored four goals with Hartford last season and five the year before.
It’s significant for Robertson to be on the upswing. Drafted in the second round (No. 49 overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft, he struggled to meet expectations as a reliable two-way defenseman. Injury issues during the 2022-23 season hindered his progress, and his performance last year was disappointing, making it somewhat surprising that the Rangers extended a qualifying offer to him as a restricted free agent this offseason, ultimately signing him to a one-year contract.
Now in his fourth season with Hartford, Robertson has yet to make his NHL debut. Nevertheless, he possesses valuable skills as a left-shot defenseman who was successful in the WHL with Edmonton during his junior career. Additionally, with Ryan Lindgren becoming a pending unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, there is potential for Robertson to evolve into a more significant role, despite the high-profile examples like Adam Fox and K’Andre Miller who transitioned to full-time NHL roles early in their careers.
Other Rangers prospects also had strong outings on Wednesday. Sykora contributed with two points, scoring his second goal of the season to tie the game and assisting on Korczak’s overtime winner. Last season, the 20-year-old forward, one of the youngest players in the AHL, recorded 23 points in 66 games and has already tallied five points this season.
Meanwhile, Roobroeck, a 6-foot-7 forward drafted in 2023, scored a gritty goal that sparked Hartford’s comeback, marking his second goal in as many games. Goalie Dylan Garand made 22 saves on 24 shots to secure the win, achieving victories in all three of his starts this season. Veteran defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, who was assigned to Hartford after clearing waivers, played his second game with the Wolf Pack, registering two shots on goal and a minor penalty.
Hartford is currently without top Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann, who is sidelined for 4-6 weeks due to an upper-body injury.
