Rangers’ Matt Rempe Not Guaranteed Roster Spot
As the New York Rangers enter training camp, one of the storylines surrounding the franchise centers on sophomore Matt Rempe and his battle for a roster spot following an overnight explosion that turned the then-rookie into a fan favorite last season. While most of the Rangers’ roster is set for the 2024–25 season, coach Peter Laviolette spoke to reporters on September 18, via USA Today’s Vince Mercogliano, and made it clear there’s still room for players like Rempe and others to make an impact and possibly secure a spot for opening night. “There’s always an opportunity in training camp,” Laviolette said. “You can jump out of your shoes, knock us in the head, and say, ‘I am here. I have arrived.’ “And then from there, it makes us look at everything, the entire situation.”
Laviolette praised the 22-year-old forward for his commitment over the summer, recognizing his efforts both on and off the ice. That said, he didn’t guarantee Rempe a place on the final Rangers roster for the regular season.
“He put in a lot of work this summer. He had a big impact on our team last year,” Laviolette said. “This is a young player who works tirelessly at his craft to become a more physical presence, skating, stickhandling, game involvement-he worked at it hard. “I think those are good things to have inside of an organization–people that are ready to knock down the door and make some noise. “And, so, that was my message this morning in the meeting. ‘Come in here and make as much noise as you want. Take whatever you want. We’re here watching.'”
Rempe spent his offseason training alongside seasoned veterans like Jonathan Quick and Chris Kreider, and he even worked with former NHL enforcer Georges Laraque to refine his fighting skills. More importantly, Rempe has focused on developing the non-fighting aspects of his game, aiming to become more well-rounded and valuable to the team.
“I’ve got to become a better player, so that’s what I’ve got to work on,” Rempe said on September 4. “The fighting is a very small part. I highly prioritize the skills, the skating, and everything.” Last season, Rempe scored one goal and one assist in 17 regular-season games, while racking up 71 penalty minutes. He added one goal in the playoffs appearing in 11 games.
Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. officially announced the continuation of its “Fan First” program for the New York Rangers and New York Knicks’ 2024-2025 seasons, though fans are calling out the “obscene” prices.
The “Fan First” program, which launched in March 2023, aims to “reach the loyal and verified Knicks and Rangers fanbases directly, preventing them from paying inflated prices for tickets on the secondary market and ensuring the legitimacy of their tickets.”
“Knicks and Rangers fans deserve better than paying inflated ticket prices set by brokers on the secondary market,” Jamaal Lesane, Chief Operating Officer of MSG Sports, said in a statement. “We launched the ‘Fan First’ program to put our fans first and brokers last, ensuring our dedicated fans can access the tickets they want at face value, and we encourage all fans to sign up ahead of the upcoming seasons.”
