The Genting Casino Coventry Blaze are thrilled to announce the return of Canadian goaltender Mat Robson for the 2025/26 Elite League season.
The 29-year-old was a cornerstone of the Blaze roster in 2024/25, featuring in all 66 Elite League competition games during his impressive debut campaign in the UK.
Over the 54 regular season games, Robson earned 30 wins, recording a 91.08% save percentage and a 2.99 goals-against average (GAA). In the Challenge Cup, he added ten appearances with a 90.31% save-percentage and 3.33 GAA, and he also backstopped the Blaze in two playoff games.
At the end-of-season awards, Robson’s stellar performances were recognised as he claimed both the Players’ Player of the Year and the Supporters’ Player of the Season accolades.
Standing at 6’3”, Robson brought a wealth of experience to Coventry, having previously played in the AHL, ECHL, and top European leagues in Germany, France, and Poland.
His development years were spent at the University of Minnesota (2017–2019), where he emerged as one of the NCAA’s top goaltenders. In his senior year, he was a finalist for Big Ten Goalie of the Year, and he left the program with a school-record .924 career save percentage.
That success earned him a contract with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, with whom he attended training camp and featured in exhibition action before spending the 2019/20 season with the AHL’s Iowa Wild, posting a .901 save-percentage and 2.97 GAA in 26 games.
Robson then made the jump to Europe’s top tier, joining the DEL’s Straubing Tigers in 2020/21.
He returned to North America the following year with the Buffalo Sabres’ system, playing for both the Rochester Americans (AHL) and Cincinnati Cyclones (ECHL) in 2021/22.
In 2022/23, Robson moved to France, suiting up 38 times for Anglet in the Ligue Magnus, before closing out the 2023/24 campaign in Poland with Cracovia Krakow. There, he delivered a stunning playoff performance, posting a .944 save-percentage and 2.18 GAA over seven games.
Head Coach Kevin Moore said, “Mat was our rock last season. He possesses elite puck-tracking ability and has a knack for making big saves look easy. His competitiveness is something I truly admire. As a former goalie, I’ve really enjoyed working with him to help him become the best version of himself, and I can’t wait to get going with him again for the upcoming season.”
Robson commented, “What ya say, Blaze fans – let’s run it back? I’m very excited to return to Coventry and play hockey with this great group of guys. I’m looking forward to continuing to build towards a championship for this city and our amazing fans. Let’s get the Skydome packed all year. COME ON YOU BLAZE!”
