New York Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe wants to be more than a viral fighting sensation next season, vowing to reinvent his game to make a more well-rounded impact at the NHL level.
"I want to bring more to the table," Rempe told USA Today's Vince Z. Mercogliano. "I want to be a guy that can play 8-12 minutes every single night in a role. I grew up as a centerman. I want to play center or wing. I think I can play both positions. I want to be really good defensively. I want to eventually be a penalty killer, but I've just got to earn all these things."
Rempe debuted in the Rangers' lineup in February's Stadium Series. He instantly made a name for himself by fighting New York Islanders veteran Matt Martin before dropping the gloves three more times over his next six games.
The 6-foot-7 21-year-old also courted controversy in his first NHL season for numerous hits, including a four-game suspension for elbowing New Jersey Devils blue-liner Jonas Siegenthaler's head.
Rempe averaged 5:38 of ice time in 17 regular-season games and made 11 playoff appearances as the Rangers reached the Eastern Conference Final. He last suited up for New York in Game 5 of the conference championship versus the Florida Panthers, playing only four shifts.
"I want to work on my skating, work my skill set, work on making plays with the puck, passing - every part of my game," Rempe said. "I also want to work on the fighting. I want to be a guy. I really enjoy that side of the game, and I want to continue to work on that. And then it's getting stronger, filling into my body more, my mobility - everything. I've got a lot of work to do, and I've always done that. I think as a sixth-round pick, I've kind of always exceeded expectations. Outwork, outwork, outwork."
The Rangers drafted Rempe in the sixth round in 2020.
