Rangers defenseman prospect increasing production with Wolf pack in AHL

Credit: Hartford Wolf Pack

Matthew Robertson appeared in a better place when he arrived at New York Rangers training camp in September. That is carrying over into the start of the 2024-25 season, where the defenseman prospect is off to a strong start with Hartford of the American Hockey League.

Robertson tallied two primary assists in Hartford’s 3-2 overtime win against Grand Rapids on Wednesday. His first helped start the Wolf Pack’s rally from 2-0 down, when his shot/pass was deflected home by Dylan Roobroeck at 2:38 of the third period. Shortly after, Robertson wired a shot off the post.

Then at 16:31 of the third, Robertson’s left-point shot was tipped into the net by Adam Sykora for the game-tying goal. That set the stage for Ryder Korczak’s game-winner at 2:44 of overtime.

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It was a big-time performance by Robertson, who was selected as the Third Star of the game. The 23-year-old now has four points (one goal, three assists) in six games. He scored his first goal two games ago against Lehigh Valley after scoring four last season with Hartford and five the season before that.

It’s a big deal that Robertson is on the right path. After being selected in the second round (No. 49 overall) of the 2019 NHL Draft, Robertson failed to live up to expectations that he’d be a solid two-way defenseman. Injuries in in 2022-23 didn’t help, and his play last season was not great. So much so, that it was a bit of a surprise that the Rangers gave him a qualifying offer as an RFA this past offseason before signing him to a one-year contract.

This is his fourth season with Hartford and he’s yet to play an NHL game. But he’s got value, a left-hand shot that excelled in the WHL with Edmonton during his junior days, and with Ryan Lindgren a pending UFA at season’s end. Not every defenseman is Adam Fox or K’Andre Miller, or even Victor Mancini, stepping right into a full-time NHL role at an early age.

Right now, Robertson seems more mature and playing at higher level at each end of the ice. It’s a good start for sure.

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Rangers prospects Adam Sykora, Dylan Roobroeck score important goals in Wolf Pack win

Dylan Roobroeck — Photo courtesy Hartford Wolf Pack

It was a good night for a couple other Rangers prospects Wednesday. Sykora had two points, tying the game with his second goal of the season and assisting on Korczak’s OT winner with this slick play.

The 20-year-old forward was among the youngest players in the AHL last season, when he finished with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 66 games. He already has five points (two goals, three assists) this season.

Roobroeck, the 6-foot-7 forward who was selected in the 2023 draft, went to the net to score a dirty goal that put Hartford on the comeback trail Wednesday. It was the second goal of the season for the rookie pro, and second in as many games.

Goalie Dylan Garand stopped 22 of 24 shots for the win. The 2020 fourth-round pick has won each of his first three starts this season.

Veteran defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, who cleared waivers and was assigned to Hartford last week, playe dhis second game with the Wolf Pack and finished with two shots on goal and took a minor penalty in the third period.

Hartford remains without top Rangers prospect Brennan Othmann, who’s out 4-6 weeks with an upper-body injury.

Jim Cerny is Executive Editor at Forever Blueshirts and Managing Editor at Sportsnaut, with more than 30 years of ... More about Jim Cerny
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