New York Rangers Matt Rempe could make NHL history.
Matt Rempe is set to potentially make his NHL debut on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium as the New York Rangers take on the New York Islanders in the 2024 Stadium Series.
If Rempe is to draw into the Rangers lineup on Sunday, it will be the first time a player makes his NHL debut in an outdoor game. That includes the Winter Classic, Stadium Series, and Heritage Classic.
According to lines at practice, Rempe is expected to slot in on the right wing with Adam Edström and Barclay Goodrow. However, head coach Peter Laviolette refused to confirm that Rempe would find the starting lineup:
Rempe took his solo lap before warmups ahead of Thursday's win over the Montreal Canadiens. He was scratched and did not play in the game.
The 21-year-old Rempe steps in with a large six-foot, eight-inch frame and likes to play a physical style.
“I think I play a hard physical game that runs on adrenaline, so I'm going be juiced up to the max," Rempe said. "I’ll be buzzing out there. Like, this is pure hockey. It’s unreal.” Quote via Greg Wyshynski on X.
If Rempe is on a line with Edström, the Rangers will create a tall fourth line. Edström is listed at six-foot, seven inches.
Rempe was drafted in the sixth round of the 2020 Draft after playing his junior hockey with the Seattle Thunderbirds of the WHL. He spent the last season and this season with the Hartford Wolf Pack of the AHL, recording 22 points (14 goals, eight assisst) in 96 games.