If you thought Hulkamnania was running wild in New York, that is nothing compared to RempeMania, which ran wild on Sunday at Fanatics Fest. We all know Henrik Lundqvist was the King of New York; however, Rangers forward Matt Rempe has taken that title from him.
It was New York Rangers Day at Fanatics Fest, and Mike Ritcher, Henrik Lundqvist, and Rempe participated in a panel hosted by Tie Domi.
The crowd’s reaction when he took the stage was remarkable. In professional wrestling, there is a thing called the Road Warrior Pop. Matt Rempe got that pop.
As you can see from the video, the fans wanted to see Rempe. They came out in full force to support a player who has brought so much energy to Madison Square Garden. Rempe is the Rangers’ most popular player since Lundqvist. Just look at the lines to get his autograph.
Just think about this for a minute. Rempe will not be guaranteed to make the Rangers this season. However, there are lines to meet him, so fans want him on the team. Go back to the start of his career in New York. He plays in the Stadium Series and fights Matt Martin of the New York Islanders in an epic comeback by the Rangers to win overtime.
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Early in his NHL career, he earned a reputation as a fighter. Rempe did not turn down any fight. It seemed like every big man wanted to fight him. Rempe returned to Madison Square Garden and was cheered every time he took the ice. Chants of “We Want Rempe” filled the world’s Most Famous Arena. Plus, teams around the Metro are adding tough guys as the Rempe Effect takes over the NHL.
Former New York Ranger and Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi, in speaking with Full Press Hockey at Fanatics Fest, believes Rempe has changed the game of hockey.
“I Love it, I love it, Domi said to Full Press Hockey. “He changed the game; he brought everybody back to the way hockey should be played. So it’s good.”
Rempe and Domi are similar players and can be similar players. Let’s be honest: They are both cult heroes because of how they play the game. Domi has the most fights in the NHL 313. The Rangers would prefer Rempe to be an all-around player rather than just a fighter.
In the AHL, Rempe played 96 games for Hartford and recorded 22 points (14 goals and eight assists). So, like Domi, he can score goals and contribute to the bottom six.
When Full Press Hockey asked if the two players could have similar playing styles, Domi thought they could because Rempe could play.
“I just did a panel with him, and I told him that exact thing,” Domi told Full Press Hockey. “He can play, and he is so big that it looks like he is doing dirty things, but he is not; he is just trying to finish his hits. He has to be a little more cautious. I told him to enjoy it. He is still young and will learn, but have fun and keep working on his game because there is not much fighting anymore.”
One thing is sure: Matt Rempe is the babyface inside Madison Square Garden. He is a heel and plays that role perfectly everywhere in the league—another similarity to Tie Domi.
There is a reason why RempeMania is taking over New York City. If there was any doubt about who the new King of New York was, those doubts should be gone after this weekend.
