The fact that Matt Rempe no longer is a Ranger has spurred interesting – and very divergent – responses from both The Maven's readership and the media.
For my money, the most cogent letter comes from former Newsday columnist Joe Dionisio who now runs the hockey program at the Hockey In Paradise Rink in Santa Barbara, California.
Joltin' Joe had read my history column about how one time Ranger Reggie Fleming managed to not only fight his way through the NHL but also helped win a Stanley Cup with the 1961 Black Hawks. Dionisio makes a good point about Rempe, Fleming and a bygone Ranger named Nick Fotiu.
Take it away, Joe:
"If Reg Fleming is an example of how Matt Rempe could ideally be handled, there's a clear precedent in Rangers history for how NOT to pigeonhole him. You can find the answer on Staten Island.
"One of the most beloved players in Blueshirts history is Nick Fotiu, the first New Yorker to skate for the team. Like the Skating Giraffe, the Greek Gladiator was a Garden favorite, known for his pre-game warmup habit of hurling pucks into the upper reaches of the Blue seats.
"Fotiu averaged barely 4 goals per season during his WHA/NHL career in the 1970s and 1980s, which might lead casual puck observers to think the enforcer was bereft of ability. They'd be wrong. He had a powerful wrist shot, and could skate quite fast when he got a head of steam. Unfortunately, coaches in that era were vehemently disinterested in honing the skills of a "goon," so Nicky's wrister usually clanged off the glass, and his speed was wasted on quickly finding a dance partner who'd drop the gloves.
MSG's bosses, then and now, scoffed at the idea of grooming Fotiu and Rempe into well-rounded wingers. Here's the difference between the pair from Staten Island and Calgary. Skill-specific coaching was virtually nonexistent in Nicky's day, while Matty has infinite resources at his disposal. Can you imagine if YouTube hockey training videos existed when Nicholas Evlampios Fotiu was honing his roller hockey game as a young boy on Staten Island? He might have been a 30-goal scorer.
"Passion for the game is the foremost link between Fotiu and Rempe. Which is why there's no excuse for Chris Drury and coach Lav to pigeonhole their big-hearted, passionate Giraffe at the tender age of 22. Will higher managerial aspirations morph Rempe into an impactful NHLer? I have no idea. But the failure to try seems absurd.
On the other hand, The Hockey News' veteran columnist Ken Campbell takes a dimmer
view of Rempe. "He can't shoot, can't hit, can't win fights."
Super Scout Jess Rubenstein sees officiating as part of Rempe's problem. "Referees do not know how to officiate players with Rempe's size," says Jess.
