New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe has earned a reputation as one of the most dangerous hitters in the NHL. The six-foot-nine, 255-pound winger has already injured multiple players with illegal hits, earning him suspensions totaling 12 games over the past two seasons.
Given his history in just 59 career games, it’s no surprise that the New York Islanders did everything in their power to prevent the controversial winger from laying any sort of body contact on their prized, number-one overall pick, defenseman Matthew Schaefer, in a preseason game on Monday.
For instance, instead of letting Rempe get in on the forecheck, the Islanders ran a blocking scheme like they were setting up the 18-year-old rearguard to return a punt in the NFL as he collected the puck in his own end.
As the Rangers filtered the puck below the red line in the Islanders’ zone, first Maxim Tsyplakov stepped in front of Rempe to delay the hulking forward from getting to the corner where Schaefer, who missed the majority of last season due to injury, picked up the loose biscuit. Then, Schaefer’s defense partner, Scott Mayfield, cut in front of Rempe at the Islanders’ net front to prevent any hit on Schaefer as the youngster peeled around the cage.
While technically both moves could be considered interference and minor penalties, the on-ice officials seemed unconcerned and allowed play to continue as usual. The Islanders’ hesitation to let Rempe get near Schaefer is warranted, as both of Rempe’s career suspensions have come as a result of hits on defensemen.
Rempe, signed to a two-year extension by the Rangers this summer, was suspended for four games during the 2023-24 campaign for elbowing New Jersey Devils defender Jonas Siegenthaler in the head. He then sat out eight games last year for elbowing Dallas Stars star defenseman Miro Heiskanen’s head and neck into the glass.
Schaefer later made a great defensive play on Rempe, diving to poke the puck away from the big rig, who had been sprung on a breakaway out of the penalty box.
The top prospect had already made a previous incredible recovery play this fall, coming on a long back-check that broke up a Matvei Michkov breakaway.
Schaefer is set to play his first season in the NHL after the Islanders selected him with the first overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. The Stoney Creek, Ontario native recorded 22 points (7g, 15a) in 17 games for the OHL’s Erie Otters last year.
