In a surprising move, the New York Rangers have made the decision to send enforcer Matt Rempe down to the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League. This news comes as a shock to many, as Rempe has been making a name for himself in the NHL with his tough, physical play on the ice.
According to TSN Hockey Insider Chris Johnston, there is an expectation that Rempe will eventually make his way back to the NHL. This is good news for Rangers fans who have come to appreciate Rempe’s hard-hitting style of play.
Rempe, who stands at an imposing 6-foot-9 and weighs in at 255 pounds, has only played in two of New York’s seven games this season. Despite not recording any points or penalty minutes in those games, Rempe has still managed to catch the attention of fans and analysts alike.
As a rookie last season, Rempe quickly became a fan favourite for his willingness to drop the gloves and stand up for his teammates. Despite fighting being less common in today’s game, Rempe’s old-school approach to the game has garnered him plenty of support from the Rangers faithful.
During his short time in the NHL last season, Rempe scored one goal and one assist while racking up an impressive 71 penalty minutes in just 17 regular season games. In the playoffs, Rempe added another goal and 10 penalty minutes in 11 contests, further solidifying his reputation as a tough-as-nails player.
Drafted by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft, Rempe hails from Calgary and has a history of success in the AHL. In the 2023-24 season, Rempe put up eight goals and four assists to go along with 96 penalty minutes in 43 games with the Wolf Pack.
With his demotion to the AHL, Rempe will have the opportunity to continue developing his game and honing his skills in hopes of making a strong return to the Rangers lineup in the near future. Keep an eye on Rempe as he looks to make his mark once again in the NHL.