The big man wearing red in December always is a popular figure in folklore at this time of year, and the Rangers had their own version to be excited about Tuesday in practice.
Fan-favorite forward Matt Rempe returned to practice wearing a non-contact jersey for the first time since suffering what is believed to be a thumb injury in a fight against Sharks enforcer Ryan Reaves on Oct. 23.
The 6-9 winger was set to accompany the Rangers on their road trip for Wednesday’s game against the Blackhawks in Chicago, and he could be cleared to practice with the team in the coming days.
“He’s skated a fair amount on his own with our skills coaches, and the next step is to get him on with the group in the team setting in a non-contact jersey. That’s what he was (Tuesday), he participated like that,” Rangers coach Mike Sullivan said after practice in Tarrytown. “And then obviously the final step is to get him into game role scenarios.”
The 23-year-old Rempe had one goal and seven penalty minutes in his first nine appearances this season, averaging 9:48 of ice-time per game.
He had gained cult-like status while dressing for 59 games for the Blueshirts over the previous two seasons, accumulating 138 minutes in penalties.
Winger Adam Edstrom also remains sidelined for the Rangers after missing the past four games with a lower-body injury.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
