Rangers recalled Rempe on Friday before Stars game
The New York Rangers recalled hard-hitting defenseman Matt Rempe back to the main roster on Friday and three days later he finds himself suspended for eight games.
Rempe elbowed and boarded Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen during New York’s 3-1 win on Friday night. He was given a game misconduct for the play.
New York Rangers center Matt Rempe is escorted to the penalty box by official Tommy Hughes before being ejected for a game misconduct in the third period against the Stars in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced he was suspended for eight games for the play. He was also fined $80,000. The league said Rempe was considered to be a repeat offender. He has only played in 22 career regular-season games and he’s been ejected four times.
In his return to the Rangers lineup, Matt Rempe received a five minute major for elbowing and game misconduct on this hit on Miro Heiskanen pic.twitter.com/4pbVg3fjbi
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) December 21, 2024
Rempe spent a majority of the season playing in the American Hockey League for the Rangers’ affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack. He started the season with New York but didn’t last long with the team. He was recalled briefly in November before being sent down again.
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New York Rangers center Matt Rempe, who was ejected for a game misconduct, slams Stars' Miro Heiskanen against the boards in the third period in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Friday night’s win was Rempe’s first game with the Rangers since Nov. 25. He had three goals, two assists and 22 penalty minutes in 18 games with Hartford.
He became extremely popular among Rangers fans late last season and into the postseason because of his hard-nosed style of play. He was ejected twice and received a four-game suspension for an elbow to the head of New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler in March.
The 2020 sixth-round pick has no points and 24 penalty minutes in five games for New York.
New York Rangers center Matt Rempe leaves the game after being ejected for a game misconduct in the third period against the Stars in Dallas, Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
The Rangers lost to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday, 3-1. The team is 16-16-1 this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Ryan Gaydos is a senior editor for Fox News Digital.