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Rangers' Rempe Fights Through Thumb Pain, Frustration
3 Feb
Summary
- Rempe considered fighting despite not being medically cleared.
- A broken thumb required surgery and still impacts his play.
- He is gradually regaining strength and confidence on the ice.
New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe admitted to nearly engaging in a fight during a difficult loss in Boston on January 10, despite not being medically cleared to do so. The 6-foot-9 winger had been experiencing difficulties gripping his stick due to a broken thumb sustained in October.
This injury required surgery and has impacted his performance, leading to frustration. After returning to New York, Rempe and coach Mike Sullivan agreed he would practice but sit out games as his thumb continued to heal. This was seen as a necessary step back for recovery.
Rempe returned to the lineup on January 26 against Boston. His recent games have shown improvement, with enhanced strength on the puck and better puck handling. He is working to regain his early-season effectiveness, focusing on physicality and disrupting opponents.
Separately, defenseman Vincent Iorio, recently claimed off waivers from San Jose, joined the Rangers for his first practice. Iorio, who played with some current teammates previously, described himself as a solid two-way defenseman looking to contribute defensively and join the rush.
