Matt Rempe Claims He Is A ’Marked Man’ Following Lengthy Suspension

Matt Rempe’s eight-game suspension is officially over.

For the first time since delivering a devastating hit on Miro Heiskanen, Rempe addressed the media.

The 22-year-old did not defend himself as he immediately claimed that his hit on Heiskanen was unacceptable and took full responsibility.

“Wasn’t a good hit,” Rempe said. “Obviously no intent to hurt a guy or anything. It wasn’t a great hit, gotta be smarter there. I was coming in with too much speed, that big of a guy coming in with too much speed and just gotta be a lot smarter.”

While there is still an emphasis on playing a physical brand of hockey, Rempe knows that he has to be careful going forward because there is a target on his back.

“I gotta still play my game, but it can’t happen again or else it’s going to be a huge suspension,” Rempe said. “I gotta be a lot smarter, I don’t have to make every hit if that makes sense. I gotta be able to pick my hits… I gotta be a bit more controlled.”

“If there is any way in doubt, I should veer on the side of caution for now. I’m a marked man right now, so I gotta keep it clean.”

Rempe feels that prior to this suspension, he was making real positive strides in his development, especially in the American Hockey League with the Hartford Wolf Pack.

The young forward plans to use the suspension as a learning lesson rather than letting it tear him down.

“I just want to keep developing, that’s my mindset,” Rempe made clear. “It happens, it’s a learning experience. I’m going to look back and say ‘hey I’m glad that happened’ because that turned my trajectory and turned how I’m going to play. I just gotta be smart.

“I’m coming along real nicely in my game. This is just a bump in the orad and keep working and go from there.”