Here's why Matt Rempe doesn't want all of this attention on him just yet and feels he can still improve as a player.
Matt Rempe might be the most popular and beloved player on the New York Rangers right now, but he feels there is a lot of work to be done before he reaches his highest potential.
Since joining the Rangers last season, Rempe has been the center of attention as his constant fighting and physical style of play caught the eyes of Rangers fans.
Between the fans chanting his name and erupting into cheers anytime he does anything of significance, there is no shortage of love for Rempe.
However, this also comes with pressure for Rempe and the enforcer feels he has more to prove.
"I'm getting all this attention, and I feel like I have to earn it," Rempe told NHL.com. "I've gotten on the scene, I've done well, but there's so much room for growth. I don't want to let anyone down. I'm terrified of that. That pushes me every single day to try to do the max that I can and ask how much better did I get today?"
While Rempe showed flashes of toughness that brought joy to fans, his individual stats and minutes was a sign that the 21-year-old needs to make more strides in order to earn the trust of Peter Laviolette.
In 17 regular season games, Rempe recorded one goal, one assist and two points while averaging 5:38 minutes of ice time and in the playoffs, his role diminished even further.
Improvement comes with time though. Rempe knows what kind of player he can eventually become and that if he puts in the work he can achieve his goals.
"I'm just trying to get better," Rempe said. "I feel like I can be a very effective bottom-six player who is fast, mean, physical, skates well, protects pucks, goes to the net, is good around the net, can play center or wing.
"I want to be a good penalty killer. I feel like I can be a guy one day on a shutdown line that can be very hard to play against and also create some offense around the net, bring pucks to the net. I've got a long way to go but that's all I'm working toward."
Rempe madness will surely carry into this upcoming season and maybe just maybe we will even see a new and improved player.
