The journey that Seattle Thunderbirds forward Matthew Rempe took during the 2019-20 season began with missed games at the start due to an injury and then ended prematurely because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite those missed games in his rookie season with Seattle, Rempe heard his name called in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft by the New York Rangers.
That may have been surprising to some but not to his general manager with the Thunderbirds, Bil La Forge.
“He was a guy that was not really considered a draft prospect by people outside of here until the draft came up,” La Forge said. “He put forth such a good season that he made it hard for teams not to select him. All the credit goes to Matt and our development staff with our coaches and Steven Goertzen.”
The season Rempe put in was a productive one with 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points in 47 games. Even though the campaign ended early, Rempe had a feeling the Rangers were interested.
“I had about three really good interviews with them, and I had a strong feeling that it would be a potential destination,” Rempe said. “It’s an unbelievably historic franchise. Every time I talked to them I had jitters. I just thought ‘wow the New York Rangers – that’s the coolest.’”
The 6-foot-8 forward earned his way through hard work and commitment and La Forge was not surprised that it paid off.
“We are really proud of him. Everything he did for himself but everything he did for the team too. Really along with Keltie (Jeri-Leon) and Ty Bauer,” La Forge said. “They were part of that group that really established the work ethic off the ice that we are trying to continue with. They are in the gym every day. They are working on their development.”
That work did not end with the season as Rempe took advantage of the long offseason by adding 25 pounds to his lean frame.
“I went from 215 to like 240 so I put on a lot of muscle. I also worked on a lot of speed stuff. Building up that flexibility because I’m so big I need to be as mobile as possible,” Rempe stated.
“I had a great gym – Cross Conditioning – that is where I worked out. They are the best of the best. They had me do all the right stuf with the right nutrition and everything. I got some great ice time as well.”
Rempe also joined his old AJHL team, the Spruce Grove Saints, and was gearing up for a season with them when that was derailed.
“I hadn’t played in forever, and then in my first game I got a three-game suspension for a hit,” Rempe said.
The hit occurred in an exhibition match with the Sherwood Park Crusaders and caused him to miss the first three games of the season. The season was shut down just five games in.
“That definitely was not ideal and I only got to play two games, Rempe said. “I didn’t really get into the flow before it was shut down. It’s a first class organization and an unreal group of guys so it was great going back there but frustrating for me because I got the suspension.”
The lack of a training camp with the Rangers and the postponement of the AJHL season have him relishing the upcoming season with Seattle so much more.
“It’s been nice to get a training camp in so we can prepare, and we will have 24 games so we can really get the rust off,” Rempe stated.
The slate of games is all within the U.S. Division with a healthy dose of games against rivals like the Everett Silvertips and Portland Winterhawks.
“We don’t like those guys whatsoever. When we play Everett and when we play Portland, your blood boils a little bit. I like those battles and every team is a good team so every game is competitive and fun,” Rempe relayed.
Rempe and the Thunderbirds will try to make the most out of the shortened season. The journey begins for them on Friday as they host the Spokane Chiefs.
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