Matt Rempe’s commitment to his development is apparent when he says he’s “going to be here the rest of the summer training with Kreiz,” and the story in this video may go beyond the 22-year-old winger’s 6-foot-8 1/2-inch height.
Because volunteering to train with Chris Kreider in Connecticut until camp begins the third week of September is the equivalent of attending boot camp. This is not for the faint of heart or weak of character. This is serious business. This is a training program for those who are courageous enough to want to be the best version of themselves.
“I want to go out there and earn a role, play, come into camp a step further than last year and practice hard every day and prove that I can be an effective player and that I’ve made big improvements from last season,” Rempe said Thursday before taking part in the Shoulder Check Showcase mental health initiative at Stanford’s Terry Connors Rink. “I’ve got to earn it. I’ve got to earn it all. I’m looking forward to doing that.”
Rempe was one of dozens of NHL players who made the pledge to check in on their teammates at the second annual event, joining Kreider, Johathan Quick, Trevor Zegras, Ryan Strome, Kevin Shattenkirk, Kevin Hayes, Frank Vatrano and Sonny Milano.
“Quicky texted me to come out, and then a few hours later Clyde texted me. [strength and conditioning consultant] “Ben Prentiss texted me and I said, ‘Oh man, I’m getting a ton of text messages, maybe I should go out,'” Rempe said of his participation in the event honoring Hayden Thorsen. “And that’s how it started.”
“Checking in on everybody is so important. Taking care of your loved ones is the most important thing in the world.”
July 25, 2024. Steven Yeung of the New York Post
Rempe spent the first half of the offseason in his hometown of Calgary, where he was a little more well-known than he was at this time last year, after a huge half-season in New York that saw him set a New York pro sports record for most news stories per hour played. Rempe worked out with a physical trainer and honed his skills as a boxer at a clinic with famed former enforcer Georges Laraque. He also spent a day with the Calgary Stampede.
“The summer was amazing. I went back to Calgary for five weeks to spend time with family and friends and also did some good work,” said No. 73. “The Stampede was fun, but I only went for one day because it can get crazy. It was a good time.
“It was insanity… insanity.”
Rempe will make his NHL debut Feb. 18 in an outdoor Stadium Series game at MetLife and will compete for a spot on the fourth line after averaging 5 minutes, 38 seconds of ice time per game in 17 games last year. It would be a big mistake for the Rangers to try to shoehorn Rempe into an enforcer or fourth-line slot. There’s a lot more to it than that.
“I think I can be a very effective bottom-six player who’s fast, mean, physical, good at skating, protects the puck well, gets to the net and can be active around the net,” Rempe said, reiterating what he first expressed on breakup day: “I want to be a good penalty killer and I think I can be a guy on the shutdown line at some point and be a very tough player for opponents to play against and a guy who can get the puck to the net and create offense around the net.”
“There’s still a long way to go, but I’m just working towards it.”
This work was started by a drill instructor named Crider.
“He has incredible drive and focus and he wants to get better every day, and he will,” said the No. 20. “He’s very disciplined and has incredible willpower. He’s going to continue to get better.”
“It’s scary for other teams.”
