Matt Rempe to spend rest of summer training with Rangers star

STAMFORD, CT. — It’s clear that Matt Rempe is living up to his promise to work at and improve every facet of his game before reporting to New York Rangers training camp in September. After an offseason that’s so far included skating drills, pilates and fighting lessons with former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque, Rempe is set to take the next step.

The 22-year-old plans to remain in the tri-state area training with Chris Kreider after beginning the summer back home in Alberta.

“I’m ready to stay out here and train with ‘Kreids’ for the rest of the summer,” Rempe said Thursday before taking part in the Shoulder Check Showcase charity hockey event here at Terry Connors Ice Rink.

“Work with him on all skills stuff and work with him in the gym and try to work on all parts of my game for the next couple of months with him.”

That’s no small decision made by the 6-foot-8 forward. Kreider is a fitness fanatic, well known throughout the NHL for his workouts at the famed Prentiss Hockey Performance center in Connecticut.

So, working side by side with Kreider is not exactly for the faint of heart. But then again, we already know about Rempe’s heart, impressive work ethic and drive to be a regular in the Rangers lineup next season.

“I’m just trying to get better but I feel I can be a very, very effective bottom-six player who is fast and physical, can skate well, protect pucks, go to the net, can play center or wing, be a penalty killer and one day be a guy who can be on a shutdown line,” Rempe explained. ” I can be very hard to play against and also create some offense … but I’ve got a long way to go. But it’s all I’m working towards.”

Rempe played 28 games with the Rangers last season, 17 in the regular-season and 11 in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. His 71 regular-season penalty minutes, which included several rousing fights, and four-game suspension for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler tell only part of the story. The Madison Square Garden fan favorite was effective on the forecheck and responsible defensively, and showed the ability to play fast and smart.

As coach Peter Laviolette said many times, the Rangers need Rempe to bring an all-around game to earn consistent playing time in the NHL. And that message clearly has been heard loud and clear by Rempe.

Training with Kreider should certainly help that process. Of course, Kreider is an elite power forward, one with 304 goals on his NHL resume, but he plays a smart two-way game and is one of the best penalty killers in the League. The 33-year-old has also improved at an age when most players are in their decline. His conditioning is off the charts.

So, yes, there’s a lot for Rempe to learn from Kreider.

“I feel like with every person you’re taking bits and pieces, learn here, learn here and take as much information as you can,” Rempe shared. “All these people are being so great, trying to help me out. I’m honored to learn as much as I can.”

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Matt Rempe has impressed Rangers teammate Chris Kreider

Matt Rempe at Shoulder Check Showcase — Photo courtesy Jim Cerny

As a rookie last season, Rempe won his teammates over and also quickly became a fan favorite. At the Shoulder Check Showcase, he may have received as loud an ovation as Kreider did during introductions. Rempe later brought the house down by scoring on breakaway after Kreider opened the scoring during the game that featured NHL, AHL and PWHL players.

“He’s incredibly driven, incredibly focused. He wants to get better every single day,” Kreider said about Rempe on Thursday. “And he’s going to. He’s super disciplined and has incredible will power. He’s a sponge. So, yeah, he’s just going to keep on getting better.”

Then Kreider added, “It’s just scary, for every other team.”

It would seem that heading into camp, Rempe will battle Adam Edstrom and perhaps Jonny Brodzinski for a spot on the fourth line alongside veteran Jimmy Vesey and center Sam Carrick, who signed as a free agent to replace Barclay Goodrow.

Rempe is clearly hungry to land that spot in the lineup. And he’s equally juiced about the Rangers’ chances as a team next season.

“We were close last year and I think we have a great team,” he explained. “I really like how we are built and I really want to go in there and earn a role, go in there and take strides from last year. I want to go into camp and work my butt off, show them I can be an effective player and I’ve taken big steps from last season.”

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