Matt Rempe Faces Harsh Reality as New York Rangers Make Shocking Roster Decision
Matt Rempe of the New York Rangers received some bad news from the team, as he was advised they were sending him down to the AHL to tone his skills.
The New York Rangers announced today that forward Matt Rempe will report to the club's AHL affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. This should give him a better chance for more ice time and to work on his skills to help himself possibly find a sure place in professional hockey. Rempe will be put in a position with the Wolf Pack and new head coach Grant Potulny where he has the ability to work on his game while still bringing his signature physical style to the ice.
This season to date, Rempe has played two games with the Rangers, averaging 5:39 of ice time a game with no points or penalty minutes. Although he has played in only a handful of games, he seemed to make a lasting impression on the fans last year with his aggressive style of play and willingness to drop the gloves. The physicality of Rempe brings an energy that has the fans appreciating him. He has carved out a special role for himself within the lineup, even on nights when he receives limited minutes of play.
Rempe was picked in the sixth round by the Rangers in 2020 and has flashed his potential at both the NHL and AHL levels. The 22-year-old forward had a very good season in the AHL last year, recording 12 points over 43 games with Hartford and adding two points in 17 games with New York. Most notably, his presence was felt in how physical he was, recording 177 minutes of penalty time in the combined 71 games between both leagues, including 11 playoff appearances. He was rather aggressive as compared to his other counterparts in his way of play.
Over the course of his AHL career, Rempe has tallied 14 goals and 22 points in 96 games, but he's getting better with more developmental time. He will be returning to Hartford looking to build an offensive game while remaining a dominant physical force. Playing in the AHL might give Rempe more opportunities to build confidence with the puck by handling and playmaking, rounding out a skillset under the guidance of head coach Rick Potulny.
With Hartford now off to a solid 2-1-1 start, the next opportunity for Matt Rempe to chip in will be on Oct. 25 as the Wolf Pack take on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms. It's an important period in his assignment to round out his game and raise it up a notch, possibly for another NHL call-up later this season.
