Matthew Rempe Bio
Matthew Rempe is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who serves as a centre for the New York Rangers of the National Hockey League. The Calgary, Alberta native was selected by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Entry Draft with the 165th overall pick. Standing at 6 feet 9 inches and weighing 255 pounds, Rempe made his professional debut in 2022 and has since become known for his imposing physical presence and aggressive style of play in the NHL.
Early Life and Background
Matthew Rempe was born on June 29, 2002, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He grew up in a family with a strong athletic background. His father, Ron Rempe, passed away in 2018. Rempe has two older twin sisters, Alley and Stephanie, who both played ice hockey at the collegiate level for Brown University. This family environment helped foster his passion for the sport from an early age.
During his youth, Rempe developed a reputation as a player who combined significant size with solid skating ability. His physical tools set him apart from many of his peers, though his path to major junior hockey required persistence and dedication.
Path to Professional Hockey
Rempe was not drafted in the 2018 WHL Bantam Draft and began his junior career with the Spruce Grove Saints of the Alberta Junior Hockey League after being the final cut from training camp with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. This experience taught him the level of commitment required to compete at higher levels.
Rempe made the Thunderbirds roster the following year and despite suffering an injury that forced him to miss the first 15 games of the 2019-20 season, he posted 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points in 47 games. His 2020-21 season was cut short due to COVID-19, but in 2021-22 he recorded 17 goals and six assists in 56 games for Seattle. Thunderbirds general manager Bill LaForge Jr. said upon Rempe being drafted that he believed the Rangers had gotten a steal, noting that Rempe had the tools to play for a storied franchise and that the team had only scratched the surface of his potential.
Matthew Rempe Career
Junior Career (2018-2022)
During his time with the Seattle Thunderbirds, Rempe established himself as a physical forward capable of contributing offensively while also playing an aggressive, energy style. His combination of size, skating, and goal-scoring ability made him an attractive prospect for NHL teams despite being passed over in his first eligible draft year.
After being drafted by the New York Rangers in 2020, Rempe returned to the Thunderbirds for two more seasons, continuing to develop his game and mature as a player. His progression caught the attention of scouts, and his work ethic became a defining characteristic of his development journey.
Hartford Wolf Pack and AHL Development (2022-2024)
Rempe was invited to the Rangers training camp prior to the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. During the 2022 camp, he showcased his physicality by fighting Wade Allison of the Philadelphia Flyers during scrimmages. He joined the Rangers affiliate, the Hartford Wolf Pack of the American Hockey League, for the 2022-23 season, where he posted six goals and four assists in 53 games.
He was again invited to Rangers training camp in 2023, where he had notable fights with Ross Johnston and Scott Mayfield in exhibition games. Rangers head coach Peter Laviolette praised Rempe’s contributions, noting that his willingness to stand up for teammates combined with his ability to finish checks and hit was a valuable combination. Laviolette remarked on Rempe’s physical tools and his potential to grow stronger and better with experience.
New York Rangers Breakthrough (2024-Present)
During the 2023-24 AHL season with Hartford, Rempe played both at wing and centre. After scoring eight goals through February 11, 2024, he was recalled to the Rangers. Rempe played his first NHL game against the New York Islanders on February 18, 2024, as part of the 2024 NHL Stadium Series, making him the first player in league history to start his NHL career with an outdoor game. Just four seconds into his first shift, he was involved in a fight with Matt Martin during the opening faceoff.
On February 22 in his third NHL game, Rempe received a match penalty 13 seconds into his first shift for an illegal hit to the head of New Jersey Devils forward Nathan Bastian. He scored his first NHL goal the following game in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers. In his fifth NHL game, he recorded his first NHL assist and had his fourth fight of the young season. Rempe had five fights in his first seven games, demonstrating his enforcer role despite such players becoming less common in modern hockey.
On March 11, Rempe received his second match penalty for elbowing Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, who was injured on the play. Following a league hearing, he was suspended for four games. On April 21, he scored a goal in his first NHL playoff game against the Washington Capitals, becoming the tenth Rangers rookie to accomplish that feat since Matt Gilroy in 2011.
Driving Style and Strengths
Rempe’s game is built around his exceptional size and physicality. At 6 feet 9 inches, he uses his frame effectively to win battles along the boards, protect the puck, and deliver impactful hits. His skating ability allows him to close on opponents quickly, and he has demonstrated the capacity to contribute offensively despite his primarily defensive role. His willingness to defend teammates has earned him respect within the Rangers organization.
Notable Events and Milestones
Rempe’s NHL debut in the Stadium Series against the New York Islanders represented a historic start to his professional career. His first NHL goal against Philadelphia and his playoff tally against Washington highlighted his ability to perform in meaningful moments. His aggressive style has also resulted in multiple disciplinary incidents and suspensions, including an eight-game ban in December 2024 for a hit on Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen.
Matthew Rempe Career Statistics
Rempe has appeared in NHL games across two seasons with the New York Rangers while also developing his game with the Hartford Wolf Pack in the American Hockey League. His rookie season saw him make an immediate impact through both his physical play and occasional scoring contributions.
Professional Career Highlights
In his rookie NHL season during 2023-24, Rempe debuted with the Rangers in February 2024 and quickly became known for his fighting prowess and physical presence. He scored his first career NHL goal against the Philadelphia Flyers and added his first playoff goal against the Washington Capitals in April 2024. His first NHL assist came in his fifth professional game.
AHL Development Statistics
Prior to his NHL promotion, Rempe developed his professional game with the Hartford Wolf Pack. During the 2022-23 season, he recorded six goals and four assists in 53 games. In the 2023-24 season before his recall, he had scored eight goals through mid-February with Hartford.
| Season | Team | League | Games | Goals | Assists | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | Hartford Wolf Pack | AHL | 53 | 6 | 4 | 10 |
| 2023-24 | Hartford Wolf Pack | AHL | Prior to recall | 8 | — | — |
| 2023-24 | New York Rangers | NHL | 30 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
Matthew Rempe Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Rempe comes from a family with strong hockey connections. His father, Ron Rempe, passed away in 2018, six years before his son’s NHL debut. His two older twin sisters, Alley and Stephanie, both played ice hockey at the collegiate level for Brown University, Division I. This family background in athletics provided Matthew with both genetic tools and a culture of competitive excellence.
Personal Life
Off the ice, Rempe maintains connections through his Instagram account where he shares glimpses of his professional life. He has spoken about the importance of his family throughout his career journey, noting that his father’s memory has motivated him throughout his development. His path through junior hockey and into professional ranks has been marked by determination and a desire to prove himself.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024-25 NHL season saw Rempe continue his physical style of play with the New York Rangers, though his season was interrupted by disciplinary issues. On December 20, he was ejected from a game against the Dallas Stars for a hit from behind on defenseman Miro Heiskanen that drove the player’s face and head into the glass. The incident resulted in a five-minute major penalty for elbowing along with a game misconduct.
Following a league hearing on December 22, Rempe received an eight-game suspension, the longest such punishment imposed by the NHL since 2018. Later in the season, he was involved in a controversial incident against the Nashville Predators on March 2, 2025, delivering a high elbow to defenseman Nick Blankenburg. The NHL Department of Player Safety reviewed the play but did not impose additional discipline.
On June 18, 2025, Rempe signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension with the Rangers. The deal runs through the 2026-27 season. During the 2025-26 campaign, Rempe suffered a significant injury when he broke his thumb during a fight with Ryan Reaves of the San Jose Sharks on October 23, 2025. The injury caused him to miss approximately two months of action. Upon returning to the Rangers lineup for 12 games, he was ultimately shut down due to lingering effects from the injury that reduced his effectiveness on the ice.