Rangers’ Matt Rempe Learning to ‘Fight on My Own Terms’

ARLINGTON, Va. — Matt Rempe is gearing up for his first full season in the NHL with the New York Rangers, aiming to elevate his game both as a fighter and as a hockey player.

The towering 6-foot-9 forward made a significant impression last season, racking up 71 penalty minutes in just 17 regular-season games, largely due to his willingness to engage in fights. His spirited performances earned him a dedicated following among Rangers fans, who would chant his name even when he wasn’t on the ice.

“It seems like a dream. They’re the best fans in the world. You want to go to battle for them every single time,” Rempe shared during the NHLPA rookie showcase on Wednesday. He described the experience as surreal, noting it feels like he’s floating on air during games.

However, some observers felt that Rempe was too quick to drop the gloves in his rookie season. He firmly disagrees with that viewpoint.

“No, not at all. You’ve got to think that I’m 21 years old in the NHL, and I have legends like [Matt] Martin and [Nicolas] Deslauriers, all those guys who want to fight. I’m in no position to say ‘no’ there. I think that they’re giving me an opportunity, and I 100 percent want to do that,” he stated.

As the season progressed, Rempe acknowledged that his fighting frequency decreased. He only engaged in one fight during his last seven regular-season games and refrained from fighting entirely during the 11 playoff games, including when he was approached by Capitals forward Tom Wilson.

“In that scenario, we’re up 2-0 in the series and we’re leading that game in Washington. There’s no benefit for me to take that fight,” he explained. “I think that’s just about growing and being smarter. I was still being very physical during that game and making an impact without fighting.”

Will he be more selective about fighting in his second NHL season? Rempe expressed mixed feelings on the subject.

“But I really enjoy it. That’s the thing as well,” he chuckled. “I don’t know. I want to be a hockey player, but it’s part of the game. It’s a nice tool to have.”

While fans appreciated Rempe’s willingness to engage, other players were equally impressed with his gameplay ability. Pittsburgh Penguins rookie forward Rutger McGroarty, who attended the NHLPA rookie showcase, highlighted Rempe’s multifaceted talent.

“It’s so cool to see what that guy’s done. Honestly, he gets a lot of credit for his fights, but he knows how to play the game too,” McGroarty noted. “He’s a one-of-a-kind guy, honestly. Such a nice guy. So down to earth.”

Rempe also gained attention from retired NHL enforcers, who reached out to him on social media to offer unsolicited advice.

“Those guys are legends in the craft, and they’ve all been reaching out and loving what I’m doing. They want to give me advice,” Rempe said. “I want to learn as much as I can from players who have so much more experience than I do.”

One notable mentor was Georges Laraque, a former enforcer who accumulated 1,126 penalty minutes over his 12-year career. Laraque invited Rempe to his summer hockey camp in Edmonton after watching his early fights.

“Yeah, it was great. He showed me lots of things, little tricks, little techniques. He helped me with my reach and how to protect myself better. I really appreciated the time he took for that,” Rempe shared.

The two discussed the importance of timing when it comes to fighting.

“When to fight on my own terms. Not so much staged fighting, but more natural if it happens. I want to protect my teammates and stand up for myself in a way that benefits the team,” he said. “I want to maximize the value of my fights by choosing the right time.”

For Rempe, fighting is just one small piece of his overall game. He spent most of the summer working on his hockey skills rather than just focusing on fights. He engaged in rigorous power skating drills and collaborated with Rangers teammate Chris Kreider on forechecking and puck protection strategies.

“The fighting is a very small part. I prioritize my skills, skating, and overall improvement,” he emphasized. “I have to become a better player, and I’ve taken significant strides this summer.”

Rempe hopes to contribute to the Rangers in multiple roles, including penalty killing, something he has done in junior hockey. In last season’s short stint, he managed to score a goal and an assist in regular-season play, as well as net a goal in the playoffs, despite only exceeding eight minutes of ice time on three occasions.

His ambition for the upcoming season is to secure a regular spot in the Rangers’ bottom six forwards and keep his place in the lineup.

“Just be hard to play against. Mean. Bring an edge. Have a great net-front presence. I want the other team to always know that they’ll have to deal with me every night,” he concluded.

After a standout rookie season, Rempe is aware that he’ll attract attention from opposing teams moving forward.

“I don’t know about being a target, but I know I have a presence,” he remarked.