As Stan Fischler pointed out in his Hockey News column, the whole world is talking about New York Rangers forward, Matt Rempe. Or, the Rempire State Building as he’s come to be known. Because he’s like… wicked tall, eh? You get it.
I find Fischler to be crusty. And the only person in the entire world that seems to have a personal problem with Bobby Orr, so that’s clearly an issue, but when the man is right, he’s right.
After the “Skating Giraffe”‘s debut (Fischler’s nickname, not mine – and isn’t that what people used to call Hal Gill?) for the New York Rangers, I can’t blame anyone for being a bit excited about this kid.
Rempe’s Ramp Up
Matt Rempe earned a call up to the Blueshirts from AHL Hartford just last weekend. A common knock on this year’s Rangers team has been – they might be a little soft. Outside of Jake Trouba, who I am still a little salty at for attempting to behead Trent Frederic in November, the criticism has been accurate. One phone call to Hartford, though, and they may have solved their problem.
Last weekend was the NHL’s annual Stadium Series event. It’s an annual outdoor game, or games, to add a little spice to the schedule. This year, they changed it a bit by having 4 teams play over two days, and featured some regional rivals slugging it out at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils played on Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, and the New York Rangers played their hated rivals, The New York Islanders on Sunday.
It’s a cool concept adding in a couple games to a somewhat stale format. I would not have wanted to be on the ice crew as maintaining ice is hard enough outside, never mind trying to have two NHL games on successive days outdoors to keep ice maintained for. Good thing I made the vocational decision I did, eh? Anyway, the Rangers made a call to Hartford for the affair, and Matt Rempe gave them exactly what they wanted.
Matt Rempe: An NHL Debut For the Ages
No one had ever made their NHL debut in an outdoor game until last weekend.
Not only was is Rempe’s first game in the Show, but it came on the 6th anniversary of his father’s death. Matt’s father Ron died from a heart attack while shoveling snow in Calgary 6 years ago. He was said to be a huge hockey guy and a passionate Calgary Flames season ticket holder. The first call Matt probably made when he learned of the callup was to his mom.
Speaking from my own personal experience, I know he would have loved to talk to his dad about the call up as well. I never earned the call Matt got, but I did lose a father and I know during many times in my life, I have reached for the phone for his advice. I can imagine Matt Rempe having some bittersweet feelings about making the NHL, and not having his dad there to cheer him on.
Take a (Rookie) Lap
Sort of a newer tradition in the NHL, is the rookie lap. Basically, whomever is making their NHL debut leads the team to the ice. The rest of the group stays behind and the rookie skates around all by himself. Some guys get a quick turn on their own, and then the boys come out. In Rempe’s case, he was given a long skate on his own.
The kid has a giant smile on his face the whole time, and towards the end, looks over with a laugh to see if the rest of the Rangers are coming out at all. Most of the time this rookie lap is done in front of sparse crowds in an arena that holds 20,000 people. In Rempe’s case he did it outside in a place that holds 80,000. That right there is pretty special.
The game starts and the New York Rangers score very early. Then, at the 18:31 mark on the scoreboard, Matt Rempe makes his NHL debut in an even bigger way. The New York Islanders send out Matt Martin, one of the toughest guys in the National, to set a tone. The puck doesn’t even hit the ice, and these guys are speedin’ off to Diggstown.
Hittin’ the Matts: Rempe vs. Martin
Rempe ties Martin and throws some quick punches. Eventually these guys trade a couple more good shots, but Rempe clearly has a size advantage and does a good job tying Martin up. Good strategy, because if Martin does get loose, he can really hurt you.
Eventually, they get tired and give each other the “that’s enough. Good scrap nod.” Props to Matt Martin for giving the massive 21-year-old a shot, and – win lose or draw – the late Ron Rempe was probably very proud. What a way to start one’s NHL career!
Rempe’s final line in the 6-5 OT win was 9 total shifts for 4:23 in ice time. He spent 5 minutes in the box. Outstanding debut, Matt! More PIM than TOI. That is a stat we here at Goonblog.com can get behind.
A couple of nights later, Rempe was given a Match Penalty for an illegal hit on New Jersey’s Nate Bastian. It was absolutely the right call, but part of the issue is Rempe is 6’8”, so, he’s just going to get calls like that against him sometimes. What’s interesting is, the Rangers were very badly outshot and still won the game. Stats like that tell me the other team could have been playing with their head on a swivel waiting for the next giant hit to be laid.
This further signals that Rempe is already well into doing his job bringing toughness to the Rangers, and we wish him the best of luck in the NHL!
