In a significant disciplinary action by the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe has been handed an eight-game suspension following an on-ice incident involving Dallas Stars’ defenseman Miro Heiskanen. The altercation occurred on Friday night, where Rempe committed infractions of boarding and elbowing.
Rempe’s suspension was confirmed on Sunday after he attended an in-person hearing via Zoom. This format of the meeting allowed the Department of Player Safety, led by George Parros, to issue a suspension longer than six games. The announcement coincided with the Rangers’ 3-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, marking their 12th defeat in the last 16 games, and their fourth consecutive loss at Madison Square Garden.
Known for his 6-foot-8 stature, Rempe made headlines last season in his rookie year by engaging with some of the most formidable players in the NHL. Despite his popularity, Rempe’s aggressive style has led to disciplinary actions before. He was previously suspended for four games following an elbow to the head of New Jersey’s Jonas Siegenthaler.
This season, Rempe has managed zero points across five games. His first NHL return match from Hartford of the American Hockey League, where he recorded three goals, two assists, and 22 penalty minutes in 18 games, was in Dallas. In this game, Rempe was on the ice for less than six minutes yet managed to draw three penalties. This performance helped the Rangers break a three-game losing streak with a victory.
Throughout his career with the Rangers, Rempe has accumulated four game misconducts and eight major penalties over 22 regular-season games. His history of play includes a memorable NHL debut fighting Matt Martin of the Islanders in a high-profile outdoor match at MetLife Stadium. Last season, he scored a goal and an assist while accumulating 71 penalty minutes over 17 games. He also contributed to the Rangers’ run to the Eastern Conference Finals, eventually falling to the Florida Panthers.
Rempe’s current suspension comes as a critical moment in his professional journey, emphasizing the league’s stance on safety and conduct. His future contributions to the Rangers will be closely watched, as both fans and officials anticipate how he will adapt his playing style moving forward.
Source: News4jax
