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Greg Wyshynski, ESPN
The New York Rangers demoted fan favorite Matt Rempe to the Hartford Wolf Pack, their AHL affiliate, on Thursday.
Rempe, 22, only appeared in two of the Rangers’ seven games this season and didn’t register a point or a penalty minute. He had seven shifts and 3:40 of ice time against Utah on Oct. 12. He had 11 shifts and 7:37 of ice time against Toronto on Oct. 19. Otherwise, he was a healthy scratch.
The 6-foot-9 Rempe was a sensation during his 17 games last season for New York. He had a series of chaotic fights that caught the league’s attention, including one in his NHL debut against the New York Islanders‘ Matt Martin during the Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium.
Those fights and Rempe’s punishing hits resulted in 71 penalty minutes. That included an elbowing major against the New Jersey Devils‘ Jonas Siegenthaler that resulted in a four-game suspension from the NHL Department of Player Safety in March.
His energetic play in limited minutes (5:38 per game) resulted in just one goal and one assist but made him an instant cult hero for Rangers fans, sparking a movement colloquially known as “Rempe-Mania.” He appeared in 11 playoff games, scoring one goal.
Rempe said he took strides in the offseason to improve his overall game and earn a place in the Rangers’ lineup. He spent the majority of his summer honing his hockey skills rather than his fighting prowess. That included nearly two months of power-skating drills and working with Rangers teammate and mentor Chris Kreider on aspects of forechecking and puck protection.
“The fighting is a very small part,” Rempe said in September. “I highly prioritize the skills, the skating and everything. I’ve got to become a better player, so that’s what I’ve got to work on. I’ve enjoyed it and I think I’ve taken big strides this summer.”
But Rempe also spent time on his fighting technique, including a stint at former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque’s hockey camp in Edmonton, Alberta.
The Rangers felt Rempe would benefit the most from getting more ice time with Hartford to continue his progress. They’ve been impressed with how he’s handled his lack of playing time and his eventual demotion back to the AHL, where he spent the majority of last season.
The Rangers have been one of the best teams in the NHL so far this season. Despite Thursday’s loss to the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, they’re off to a 5-1-1 start.