![NHL – Rangers rookie drops humorous quip, but is serious about earning regular role next season NHL – Rangers rookie drops humorous quip, but is serious about earning regular role next season](https://i1.wp.com/www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23376859.jpg?w=1200&resize=1200,0&ssl=1)
Florida Panthers vs New York Rangers” src=”https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=2560,height=1708,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23376859-scaled.jpg” srcset=”https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=428,height=286,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23376859.jpg 428w, https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=1180,height=787,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NHL-Stanley-Cup-Playoffs-Florida-Panthers-at-New-York-Rangers-23376859.jpg 788w” sizes=”(min-width: 429px) 429w, 100vw”>Vincent Carchietta-KeynoteUSA Sports
Vincent Carchietta-KeynoteUSA Sports
On their final day together this season, the New York Rangers got a couple more glimpses of why Matt Rempe is so beloved by his teammates and the Blueshirts fan base.
When asked what his plan is for the summer, Rempe first provided some humor and then gave a detailed answer of how he will work toward his goal of being a starter in the Rangers lineup next season.
“What is my plan for the summer? Well, first of all, I have to get rid of my eye infection. “I look like an idiot,” Rempe joked, referencing his swollen right eye, which was not the result of a recent fight.
But then he got serious.
“I’m going to work on every part of my game. I want to bring more to the table. I want to be a guy that can play 8 to 12 minutes every night… I want to be really good defensively. Eventually I want to be a penalty killer,” the popular 6-foot-8 rookie said.
“I have a lot of work to do and I always have, a sixth-round pick, always exceeded expectations. Work work work”.
If that doesn’t endear Rempe to coach Peter Laviolette, the front office and the guys in the locker room, it would be hard to understand what would.
The confidence, work ethic, drive, passion, humility and sense of self are off the charts for a 21-year-old with 28 games of NHL experience (17 regular season games, 11 postseason games ) to his credit.
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Matt Rempe eyeing full-time role with Rangers next season
Philadelphia Flyers” srcset=”https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=768,height=524,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHL-New-York-Rangers-at-Philadelphia-Flyers-22608068.jpg 768w, https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=651,height=444,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHL-New-York-Rangers-at-Philadelphia-Flyers-22608068.jpg 651w, https://www.foreverblueshirts.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=428,height=292,fit=crop,quality=70,format=auto,onerror=redirect,metadata=none/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/NHL-New-York-Rangers-at-Philadelphia-Flyers-22608068.jpg 428w” sizes=”(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px”> Kyle Ross-KeynoteUSA Sports Credit: Kyle Ross-KeynoteUSA Sports
Rempe burst onto the scene in New York this season when he was called up from Hartford in the American Hockey League in February, just in time to make his NHL debut in front of 80,000 outdoor fans against the Islanders at MetLife Stadium. He followed up a fight with Islanders enforcer Matt Martin in his first NHL shift and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Garden Faithful collectively embraced Broadway’s modest budding star, and he rewarded them with unbridled joy in every turn he took this season. Tough, but with some skills, Rempe had one goal, one assist and 71 penalty minutes in the regular season.
That Rempe scored New York’s first goal in the Stanley Cup Playoffs is something straight out of a Hollywood script.
“I just want to thank them so much,” Rempe said of the Rangers fans. “It’s a dream come true. A kid from Calgary comes from Hartford and all of a sudden, after a few games, they sing my name, it’s pretty amazing. I love them so much.”
But this instant fame has not gone to his head. Rempe wants to earn more of Laviolette’s trust after averaging 5:37 of ice time per game on the season and 6:07 in the playoffs.
So he returns home to Calgary to work and improve in all areas. Yes, even in fights. And Pilates classes are also scheduled. The child is serious about taking the next step in his development.
“I’m not satisfied at all in any aspect of my game.”
Keynote USA
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