Rangers’ Matt Rempe suspended eight games for hit on Miro Heiskanen
Matt Rempe was assessed an eight-game suspension for boarding and elbowing Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen on Friday in Dallas.
A repeat offender in the eyes of the NHL, as a player who has been disciplined within the last 18 months, Rempe’s punishment certainly reflects the league’s initiative to send a message.
The 6-foot-8 ½ forward crunched Heiskanen into the boards in the third period.
Heiskanen hit the ice hard and went to the Stars locker room, but the 25-year-old missed just 6 ½ minutes of play before returning to the ice.
This is the second time Rempe, who had a Zoom call with league officials Sunday, has been suspended in his short career.
The Rangers rookie received a four-game suspension for an March 11 elbow to the head of Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler.
It’s been 23 games, including postseason contests, since that suspension.
That’s just 13 regular-season games between disciplinary hearings.
Rempe has earned four game misconducts in 22 regular-season contests, as well as eight major penalties.
This is the longest suspension the NHL has issued for an on-ice incident since handing Nazem Kadri an eight-game punishment for his illegal check to the head of Justin Faulk on May 19, 2021.
As is every player’s right, Rempe has 48 hours to have the NHL Players’ Association file an appeal on his behalf to commissioner Gary Bettman.
