Rangers Agree to Terms with Defenseman Matthew Robertson

The New York Rangers announced today that the team has agreed to terms with defenseman Matthew Robertson on an entry-level contract.

Robertson, 18, has skated in three games with the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Hockey League (WHL) this season. He has skated in 129 career WHL games over parts of four seasons (2016-17 - 2019-20), all with Edmonton, registering 14 goals and 44 assists for 58 points, along with 74 penalty minutes. Over the last two seasons (2017-18 and 2018-19), Robertson was tied for second among WHL defensemen in their U18 season or younger in goals (14), and he also ranked fourth among WHL defensemen in their U18 season or younger in assists (43) and points (57). Last season, Robertson tallied 33 points (seven goals, 26 assists) and posted a plus-18 rating in 52 games with the Oil Kings. He established WHL career-highs in several categories in 2018-19, including assists, points, and plus/minus rating, and tied his WHL career-high in goals.

The 6-4, 201-pounder tied for second among WHL defensemen in their U18 season or younger in points in 2018-19 (only trailing Bowen Byram). In addition, Robertson ranked third among WHL defensemen in their U18 season or younger in assists and plus/minus rating last season. He skated in 16 games with the Oil Kings during the 2019 WHL Playoffs, and he recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in those 16 games. Robertson served as an alternate captain with Edmonton in 2018-19, and he was also named an alternate captain for the Oil Kings prior to the start of this season.

Internationally, the Edmonton, Alberta native has represented Canada in several tournaments. Robertson helped Canada win a gold medal at the 2018 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, as he tallied four points (two goals, two assists) in five games. He also recorded two assists and posted a plus-five rating in five games while representing Canada at the 2018 IIHF U18 World Championship. In addition, Robertson tallied six points (two goals, four assists) in five games with Canada-Black at the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge. He was named to the Tournament All-Star Team at the 2017 World U17 Hockey Challenge, as he led all defensemen in the tournament in points.

Robertson was selected by the Rangers in the second round, 49th overall, of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.