Matt Rempe, a 21-year-old rookie forward for the NHL’s New York Rangers, has gained extensive coverage in the United States’ largest media market for his physical play and ability to get thousands of people to chant his name. Rempe attended Penticton Secondary School and played for the Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) before being drafted by the Rangers in the sixth round of the 2020 NHL Draft. He made his NHL debut on Feb. 18, 2024, and became the first player in NHL history to make his debut in an outdoor game. Rempe's rise has been referred to as 'Rempemania' by New York sports fans. He has recorded 71 penalty minutes in 17 regular season games and has played in 11 playoff contests with the Rangers. Rempe's Rangers are currently in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Florida Panthers and sit two wins away from reaching the Stanley Cup Finals.
Ivan Demidov, a 5'11" winger playing in Russia's SKA St. Petersburg system, is generating attention in the NHL draft news. Demidov has had impressive performances in the Russian junior circuit, with 42 goals and 80 assists for a total of 122 points in 71 regular season games over the past two MHL seasons. He has also recorded 11 goals and 17 assists in 17 playoff games this spring. However, there are concerns about Demidov. Russia's ban from international competition means he hasn't played against other draft-eligible players for a while. Additionally, he has struggled to make the jump to the KHL, playing in just six games without registering a point. Despite these concerns, Demidov is considered the second-best forward in the draft after Macklin Celebrini. He is known for his powerful skating, fluid stickhandling, creativity, and fearlessness to attack. Corey Pronman projects him as a potential top-line winger who will score a lot but may not be the best forward on an NHL team. The article also mentions the success of other dynamic Russian wingers like Artemi Panarin and Nikita Kucherov who were missed during the draft process. The question remains whether Demidov will be the next great Russian forward or if he is just superior to his current competition and will struggle at higher levels.
Tij Iginla, the 17-year-old son of Hockey Hall of Famer Jarome Iginla, is eager to follow in his father's footsteps and enter the NHL draft. He embraces the expectations and pressure that come with his famous last name and welcomes the possibility of being selected by the Calgary Flames, the team his father played for. Tij Iginla is currently ranked as the ninth-ranked North American skater by NHL Central Scouting. He had an impressive season with the Kelowna Rockets, scoring 47 goals and finishing with 84 points. Other prospects with NHL ties expected to be selected in the draft include Aatos Koivu, Lukas Fischer, Noah Lapointe, Max Plante, and Miroslav Satan Jr. Tij Iginla credits his family and the experiences of growing up around the NHL for his motivation and determination to succeed in hockey.
In the latest NHL draft news, the Philadelphia Flyers have selected Jack Berglund, a 6-foot-4 Swedish center, in the second round. Berglund, who can also play on the wing, had an impressive season with Farjestad BK in Sweden's top junior league, recording 34 points (15 goals, 19 assists) in 41 games. He also represented Sweden at the 2024 IIHF U-18 World Junior Championship, contributing five points in seven games. The Flyers had the 51st overall pick as compensation for not signing their 2018 first-round selection, Jay O'Brien. Berglund's size and versatility make him an exciting addition to the Flyers' prospect pool.
Bobby Brink, a 22-year-old rookie winger, has signed a new two-year, $3 million contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The deal has an average annual value of $1.5 million. Brink put up 23 points (11 goals, 12 assists) and a plus-1 rating in 57 games last season. He overcame a demotion to the AHL affiliate Lehigh Valley in January and made his way back to the Flyers in February. Brink scored goals in his first two games back but also received an in-game benching during the second game. Head coach John Tortorella wants to see him consistently impact the game away from the puck. Brink will remain a restricted free agent when the contract expires.
