Rempe Engages in Physical Skirmish During Rangers' First Scrimmage

Rookie forward Matt Rempe was involved in a heated physical skirmish during the New York Rangers' first training camp scrimmage on Thursday. The incident occurred near the end of the first period when defenseman Marc Del Gaizo checked Rempe along the boards, leading to Rempe retaliating with shoves. Del Gaizo's helmet came off, and teammates quickly intervened to separate the players before the situation escalated into a full fight with thrown punches.

The physicality was a theme of the scrimmage, with other instances including Will Cuylle delivering a check to rookie defenseman Alberts Smits and J.T. Miller taking Carey Terrance to the ice. However, the confrontation between Rempe and Del Gaizo was the most intense moment of the practice.

Rempe, known for his physical play, has a history of fighting. Last season, he suffered a broken thumb that required surgery and a subsequent procedure, impacting his ability to grip his stick and compete in puck battles. He also faced challenges with shooting and puck control during his recovery.

In the Rangers' initial line combinations for training camp, which is condensed ahead of the season opener on September 29 against the Bruins, Rempe was listed as an extra. Players like Tye Kartye, Joe Veleno, and Jarslav Chmelař were skating on the fourth line, suggesting that Rempe may need to earn his spot in the lineup.

Head coach Mike Sullivan commented on the team's overall approach to the scrimmage, noting the intensity and physicality. "These guys, I think they recognize the importance of everyday and trying to maximize every opportunity we have when we get on the ice because we don’t have that many of them," Sullivan stated. "They came to play today. There was real hockey being played. There was physicality out there. Battles on pucks. And that’s something that we’re gonna have to continue to build on in order to get ourselves ready in such a shortened camp."