Matt Rempe worked exceptionally hard throughout the offseason to silence critics — something that paid off well for his production during the 2024-25 season, and this summer he's running it back.
After playing 17 games throughout the 2023-24 season, Rempe was incredibly focused on becoming a more well-rounded hockey player. Back in May of 2024, he told reporters he would spend his summer "working on all my skills every day" and was mentally preparing to exceed expectations on and off the ice.
And Rempe being extra motivated makes sense; he receives his fair share of hate online from NHL fans who doubt his skills.
Why is this idiot still in the league
— korky122 (@korky122) December 23, 2024
The dude belongs in a beer league somewhere, not in the NHL.
— Aaron (@Coffdaddy30) December 23, 2024
Just kick this ass hat out of the league
— Weasel's Way (@Crypto_Form99) December 23, 2024
Matt Rempe's increased production and growth
After all of this and an eight-game suspension early on in the most recent season, Rempe returned to the Rangers back in January and seriously cleaned up his game.
The 6'9" player wrapped up the 2024-25 season with three goals and five assists over 42 games with an average TOI of 8:30 — marking a noticable offensive uptick.
Additionally, on April 14, 2025, Rempe delivered his first career multi-point game (a goal and an assist) in a 5-3 win over the Florida Panthers. Then-head coach Peter Laviolette at the time personally recognized Rempe's growth postgame.
"Huge. Huge growth for Remp. He's attacking the ice now with the puck. From our end, he's getting it with a little bit of speed underneath it before our blue line. He's attacking the neutral zone, he's going to the net, he's making plays, he's going through defenders. He played a heck of a game tonight... The growth has been visible for everybody, not just me, but everybody sees it that watches him play."Peter Laviolette, April 2025
Following reports from this most recent offseason, it's clear the Rempe has bulked up and is training alongside Kreider and Quick at Prentiss Hockey Performance.
For Rempe in 2025-26, it looks like he's only looking to build on his success and continuing to persevere over naysayers who say he doesn't belong. Rempe made his NHL debut on February 14, 2024, and it just happened to be the six year anniversary of his father Ron's untimely death. Ron was a "big hockey guy" and a source of inspiration for Matt.
Rempe's father sought to provide things for his children that he was deprived of growing up, and hockey is one of those things. It is for that reason Rempe plays the game, and is determined to make an impact. It was initially an outlet for him to channel his grief, and now he's here Rempe will do everything he can to stick around and make pro hockey a career as long as he can.