Matthew Robertson has been one of the most compelling individual stories for the New York Rangers this season. After years of grinding in the minors and waiting for his chance to make an NHL impact, his selection by the local PHWA chapter to represent the Blueshirts as their Bill Masterton Trophy nominee is incredibly well-deserved.
The award, given annually to the player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey, is a perfect fit for Robertson. While we often see the award go to those overcoming immense personal hardships, like Dominic Moore’s emotional return to the Rangers following the tragic death of his wife, Katie, Robertson fits firmly into the "dedication to the game" bucket.
His rookie campaign is a testament to the long game, and now is the perfect time to acknowledge just how far he’s come.
Four Years of Patience in Hartford
Robertson, who just turned 25 in March, has been a model of professional patience. Selected 49th overall in the 2019 NHL Draft, he spent five seasons in the WHL before logging 250 games across four years with the Hartford Wolf Pack. While other prospects might have grown frustrated or requested a trade, Robertson put in the work.
"It's been my dream to wear the red, white and blue since getting drafted in 2019"
— Rangers Videos (@SNYRangers) April 15, 2025
Matthew Robertson talks about the emotions of getting to make his Rangers debut: pic.twitter.com/eWxLljsX0v
After a brief two-game cup of coffee at the end of a disappointing 2024-25 season, he arrived at camp this year and forced the front office to keep him.
A Successful Leap to the Big Leagues
This season, Robertson didn’t just make the team, he became a fixture. Skating in 68 games, he’s recorded five goals and 12 assists for 17 points. While those numbers won’t lead the league, they are impressive for a rookie defender who prioritized reliability over flash.
Matthew Robertson on scoring his first NHL goal six-and-a-half years after being drafted:
— Vince Z. Mercogliano (@vzmercogliano) October 19, 2025
"Surreal. I mean, it still hasn't really kicked in. I just shot the puck and it ended up going in. … It’s a roller coaster of emotions."#NYR
Robertson has handled his 1,057 minutes at 5v5 with veteran-like composure. Among regular Rangers defenders with at least 500 minutes played, he ranks third in xGF% and third in CF% per Evolving-Hockey. For a stay-at-home rookie, sitting in the top three of those metrics proves that his presence on the ice leads to positive play, even if he isn't the primary trigger-man on the power play.
A Foundation for the Future
The Rangers’ blue line hierarchy is finally taking shape. With Vladislav Gavrikov locked in as a top-pair partner for Adam Fox, Robertson has shown enough to potentially anchor the second pair on the left side next season. His emergence also provides a safety net for top prospect Drew Fortescue, who can now get necessary AHL seasoning in Hartford without being rushed into the spotlight.
In just one year, Matthew Robertson has gone from a player stuck in the AHL to a legitimate top-four NHL defenseman. There haven't been many clear-cut wins for the Rangers during this centennial season, but the emergence of #29 is undeniably one of them.