Toronto Maple Leafs forward Ryan Reaves is arguably the most renowned enforcer in the NHL these days, but New York Rangers rookie Matt Rempe has seemingly earned his respect.
Rempe just made his NHL debut in February, but he’s quickly become a household name among hockey fans, gaining recognition for his ferocious hits and his willingness to drop gloves with some of the league’s nastiest bruisers.
After some fisticuffs with Reaves during the Maple Leafs-Rangers tilt last week, Rempe earned some high praise from the 37-year-old.
“He’s going to be a menace in this league,” said Reaves of Rempe, adding that he was wired and unable to fall asleep until 6:00 a.m. the next morning, via Luke Fox of Sportsnet.
REMPE AND REAVES DROP THE GLOVES AT CENTER ICE 😱 pic.twitter.com/4raCSRGwnI
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 3, 2024
In addition to Reaves, Rempe has already thrown hands with the likes of Mathieu Olivier of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Matt Martin of the New York Islanders–a fight which occurred just moments into Rempe’s NHL debut–and Philadelphia Flyers enforcer Nicolas Deslauriers, all of whom have made a name for themselves as some of the league’s toughest players.
Rempe is well aware of the caliber of players he’s been scrapping with, too.
“That guy is a legend. That guy has been one of the most feared men in the league for 15 years, Rempe said of Reaves, via Mollie Walker of the NY Post.
In seven games this season, Rempe has provided one goal and one assist. As a result of his headline-grabbing brawls, the 21-year-old has spent more minutes in the penalty box (37) than he has on the ice (34).
