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New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe plans to return stronger after a challenging season affected by injuries and surgeries. He played only 26 games, scoring one goal, and expressed his determination to come back with vengeance next year.
Matt Rempeās demeanor off the ice typically is upbeat, featuring a boyish charm that endeared him to New York Rangers fans since he burst on to the NHL scene back in 2024. But at Rangers breakup day on Friday, Rempe appeared subdued and serious, discussing his frustrating season marred by one significant injury and a pair of surgeries.
The hulking six-foot-nine forward played 26 games this season, though really was only healthy for the first nine. He scored one goal and was limited after returning from October thumb surgery. He finally was shut down for good following a second surgery on his thumb in February.
āBeing hurt since October, obviously very disappointing for myself,ā Rempe told reporters. āI think I started the year well, then I missed 60 games because Iām hurt and have two surgeries, and when I came back, that wasnāt me at all because I needed another surgery to get done. So, that was a frustrating period there. That wasnāt me.ā
Donāt expect this lost season to keep Rempe down, though.
āIāve got a lot of hunger for next year,ā he said. āIām sure Iāll come back with vengeance.ā
Itās the same approach Rempe displayed last summer, when challenged by the Rangers hierarchy to become a more complete and disciplined NHL player. He met the challenge and quickly earned the trust of first-year coach Mike Sullivan during training camp.
That carried into the start of the 2025-26 season, when Rempe teamed with Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom to turn New Yorkās fourth line into an identity line. They played a hard, fast north-south game, ferocious on the forecheck, and committed defensively in the neutral zone and in their own end of the ice.
Rempe continued to be an intimidating presence and threat, but didnāt needlessly drop the gloves as heād done in his first two season. Thatās why itās so ironic that his first ā and only ā fight of the season submarined everything for the popular 23-year-old.
He tore up his thumb in that bout with San Jose Sharks enforcer Ryan Reaves on Oct. 23, had the first surgery, and returned to the Rangers lineup two months later on Dec. 15. Though he played 17 of the next 24 games, Rempe wasnāt, well, Rempe. Unable to grip his stick, not allowed to tangle with opponents, much less drop the gloves and fight, Rempe wasnāt helping himself nor his team by being in the lineup.
Matt Rempe dealt with a significant thumb injury that required two surgeries, limiting his playtime.
Matt Rempe played 26 games during the 2024 NHL season, but was only healthy for the first nine.
Matt Rempe plans to return with a strong determination and hunger for the next NHL season after a frustrating year.
After returning from his surgeries, Matt Rempe felt he was not performing at his best, which contributed to his frustration this season.
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āThe toughest moment is when I came back, and I canāt play my game,ā Rempe explained. āI just felt like I was not good. I was just, like, skating around and couldnāt do my stuff. That was tough because I want to go out there and be good every night, play physical, and play my game. And when youāre not able to do that itās like, I was really down. That was a tough month for me there.ā
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The second surgery ended Rempeās season. But it also corrected the issue inside his thumb. Rempe said he can grip a stick now and feels āvery confidentā about the thumb healing and no longer holding him back.
āItās coming along a lot better than the first [surgery],ā Rempe shared. āAfter the second surgery, itās coming along really well ⦠and now Iām confident Iāll be able to play my game.ā
A lot happened with Rempe sidelined for nearly 60 games this season. The Rangers finished last in the Eastern Conference and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second consecutive season. The original fourth line completely was undone and reimagined in his absence. Edstrom missed plenty of time following ankle surgery; and the Rangers dealt Carrick to the Buffalo Sabres ahead of the NHL Trade Deadline.
And when the Rangers played some spirited hockey down the stretch, winning six of their final 10 games, it was a trio of rookies turbo-charging things on the fourth line. So, itās safe to say Rempe faces stiff competition for a spot in the lineup next season, what with the positive impression made by Adam Sykora, Jaroslav Chmelar, and even Noah Laba, who started the season the third line.
āThereās a lot of great young players now, and I know them all from playing in Hartford (of the American Hockey League). Weāve all kind of grown up together,ā he said. āItās great. Competitionās awesome. You want competition. You want to earn your spot.
āAll great players, great guys. Iām going to come to camp and earn it ⦠thatās my plan.ā
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