Matt Tomkins Bio
Matt Tomkins is a Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who plays for the Bakersfield Condors of the American Hockey League (AHL) while under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Edmonton, Alberta, Tomkins developed through the Alberta Junior Hockey League and the Ohio State University program before beginning a professional career that has taken him across North America and Europe. He made his long-awaited NHL debut in 2023 with the Tampa Bay Lightning and earned his first NHL victory that same season, more than a decade after being drafted. Standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and catching with his left hand, Tomkins has built his career on patience, steady development, and the willingness to take on new challenges in multiple leagues.
Early Life and Background
Matt Tomkins was born on June 19, 1994, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Growing up in one of Canada’s most hockey-rich cities, he was surrounded by the sport from a young age and gravitated toward the goaltender position. He progressed through local youth programs before reaching the junior level with teams in the Alberta Junior Hockey League, a development league that has produced many Canadian professional players.
Tomkins spent two seasons in the AJHL between 2011 and 2013, refining his game against older competition and adjusting to the demands of a full junior schedule. His play during that stretch drew the attention of National Hockey League scouts, setting the stage for the next stage of his development. After his junior career concluded, he committed to Ohio State University, where he continued to mature as a goaltender while earning his education.
Path to Professional Hockey
Tomkins was selected in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft by the Chicago Blackhawks, going 199th overall. Rather than rushing into professional hockey, he honored his college commitment and joined the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he spent several seasons developing his technique and conditioning. The decision allowed him to grow physically and mentally before facing the demands of professional play.
Following his graduation from Ohio State, Tomkins signed his first professional contract with the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks, on June 27, 2017. He went on to sign one-year extensions with Rockford in 2018 and 2019 before inking a two-year, two-way contract with the Blackhawks on January 23, 2020, and being assigned back to the IceHogs. This measured progression reflected a steady climb rather than a quick rise through the ranks.
Matt Tomkins Career
Early Career (2017–2021)
Tomkins began his professional career with the Rockford IceHogs in 2017, serving as a developing goaltender within the Chicago Blackhawks organization. He spent four seasons with the IceHogs, working closely with the team’s coaching staff and learning the pace of the AHL. His time in Rockford helped him adjust to a longer schedule, tougher opponents, and the everyday grind of professional hockey.
During these developmental years, Tomkins focused on consistency and positioning, two areas that would become trademarks of his game. He signed repeated one-year extensions before being rewarded with a two-year, two-way NHL contract in January 2020, which signaled the organization’s continued belief in his potential. The experience he gained in Rockford laid the foundation for a bold move overseas.
Swedish Hockey League Stint (2021–2023)
On May 28, 2021, Tomkins signed a one-year contract with Frölunda HC of the Swedish Hockey League, leaving North America to test himself in one of Europe’s top professional leagues. The move to the SHL allowed him to face a different style of play, with an emphasis on puck possession and skill. He adapted well to the faster, more open European game during his single season with Frölunda.
Tomkins then signed a one-year contract with Färjestad BK on June 2, 2022, continuing his time in Sweden. His two seasons in the SHL broadened his résumé and gave him international experience that few North American goaltenders of his profile earn. The European chapter proved valuable, both for his technical development and for the confidence it built heading back to North America.
Tampa Bay Lightning Era (2023–2025)
Following the 2022–23 SHL season, Tomkins returned to North America and signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning as a free agent on May 10, 2023. The move gave him a realistic path to the NHL with a contending organization. He made his NHL debut on October 15, 2023, stopping 33 of 37 shots in a 5–2 loss to the Ottawa Senators, a strong first impression despite the result.
Eleven years after being drafted, Tomkins earned his first NHL victory on November 7, 2023, backstopping the Lightning to a 5–3 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The milestone was a long time coming and reflected years of perseverance. In 2024–25, he spent the season with the Syracuse Crunch in the AHL, posting a 12–10–4 record in 26 appearances with a 2.55 goals-against average, a .907 save percentage, and three shutouts. He was also a co-recipient of the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award after the Crunch tied for the fewest goals allowed in the league.
Edmonton Oilers Era (2025–Present)
Tomkins left the Tampa Bay Lightning organization after two seasons and signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Edmonton Oilers as a free agent on July 1, 2025. The signing brought him back to his hometown province and placed him within the Oilers’ system, where he is expected to compete for NHL playing time. He was assigned to the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ AHL affiliate, to begin his tenure with the organization.
The move to Edmonton marks a full-circle moment for the Edmonton-born goaltender, who now competes for a franchise with deep roots in his home city. His combination of size, experience, and patience fits the profile of a steady backup option at the NHL level and a reliable starter in the AHL. Early indications suggest he will continue to push for opportunities with the parent club.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tomkins plays a technically sound, positionally disciplined style that relies on his 6-foot-4 frame to cover the upper portion of the net. He is known for his calm demeanor, efficient movement, and ability to track the play through traffic, qualities that served him well in both the AHL and the SHL. His experience working with multiple coaching staffs has also made him adaptable to different systems and goaltending philosophies.
Notable Events and Milestones
Tomkins’ most notable milestones include his 2012 draft selection by the Chicago Blackhawks, his first NHL start with Tampa Bay in October 2023, and his first NHL win against the Montreal Canadiens on November 7, 2023. He also represented Canada at the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2022 IIHF World Championship, an honor that underscored his standing within the national program. The Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award he shared in 2024–25 further highlighted his consistent work in the AHL.
Matt Tomkins Career Wins
Matt Tomkins’ professional win totals span the AHL, SHL, and NHL, reflecting a journeyman career built on steady contribution. His first NHL victory came with the Tampa Bay Lightning in November 2023, while he also posted double-digit win totals in several AHL seasons, including a 12-win campaign with the Syracuse Crunch in 2024–25. Across leagues, his wins have been spread across developmental, European, and top-level North American hockey.
AHL Highlights
In the AHL, Tomkins played for the Rockford IceHogs from 2017 to 2021, the Syracuse Crunch in 2024–25, and now the Bakersfield Condors. His 12-win season with Syracuse in 2024–25 stands out, along with his co-receipt of the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award for the league’s best team defense. Those performances established him as a reliable presence in the Blackhawks’, Lightning’s, and now Oilers’ systems.
Other Wins and Performances
During his time in Sweden with Frölunda HC and Färjestad BK, Tomkins posted competitive results in the SHL, contributing to a strong league-wide résumé. He also represented Canada internationally at the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2022 IIHF World Championship, including a relief appearance in the gold medal game against Finland. These international appearances added important experience to his career portfolio.
Matt Tomkins Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Matt Tomkins was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, a city with deep roots in Canadian hockey culture. Specific details about his parents and immediate family are not publicly documented in available sources. His upbringing in Edmonton provided him with strong local hockey influences and a clear path into the sport.
Personal Life
Public information regarding Tomkins’ personal relationships, marital status, or children is not widely documented. He is known to be Canadian by nationality and has spent most of his professional life moving between North American and European hockey markets. His off-ice life remains largely private, with focus placed on his ongoing professional career.
2025 Season Performance
Tomkins enters the 2025 season as a member of the Edmonton Oilers organization, signed to a two-year, two-way contract on July 1, 2025. After a productive 2024–25 campaign with the Syracuse Crunch, where he recorded 12 wins, three shutouts, and a share of the Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award, he transitions into a new system with fresh opportunity. His early-season role with the Bakersfield Condors is expected to keep him sharp as he competes for NHL playing time in Edmonton.
The 2025 storyline centers on whether Tomkins can translate his AHL consistency into NHL appearances with the Oilers. The familiarity of playing near his hometown, combined with the stability of a two-year deal, provides a strong platform for a possible breakthrough. Strong early performances in Bakersfield could accelerate his path to the Oilers’ NHL crease.
Looking ahead, Tomkins’ mix of size, international experience, and AHL success makes him a candidate to push for a backup or tandem role in Edmonton. His long-awaited first NHL win in 2023 showed he can perform at the top level when given the chance. The 2025 season offers a clear opportunity to build on that foundation and re-establish himself within a new organization.
