Matt Rempe: Height, Suspension, Salary, and Dad – Full Guide 2025

There aren’t many NHL players who make you look twice just by stepping onto the ice, but Matt Rempe is one of them. At 6’9” and 255 pounds, the New York Rangers rookie is already the tallest active player in the league — and he’s just getting started.

Height: 6’9″ (206 cm) ·
Weight: 255 lbs (116 kg) ·
Age: 23 (born June 29, 2002) ·
NHL Team: New York Rangers ·
Position: Center ·
Draft Position: 6th round (165th overall), 2020

Of the nine biographical data points available, one pattern stands out: Rempe’s size and draft position make him an extreme outlier in modern hockey.

What is going on with Matt Rempe?

Recent performance and role with the Rangers

• Appeared in 42 games during the 2024‑25 season, recording 2 goals, 3 assists, and 123 penalty minutes (NHL.com stats).
• His physical playing style has drawn comparisons to classic enforcers, though he also chips in offensively when needed.
• The Rangers have used him primarily on the fourth line, averaging under 10 minutes of ice time per game (Elite Prospects).

Public and media attention

• His size and aggressive hits have made him a regular topic on sports highlight shows and social media.
• Media coverage spiked after each suspension, with debates about the role of fighting in the modern NHL.
• Rempe himself has used Instagram to share moments from his career, including his first NHL contract.

The implication: Rempe is in a spot where every hit is scrutinised, and the league is sending a clear message that dangerous plays will be punished.

Is Matt Rempe the tallest NHL player?

List of tallest active NHL players

• Matt Rempe (6’9”) – currently the tallest active player (Wikipedia).
• Tyler Myers (6’8”) – Vancouver Canucks defenseman.
• Nikita Zadorov (6’6”) – Boston Bruins defenseman.
• Jamie Oleksiak (6’7”) – Seattle Kraken defenseman.

Comparison with historical tallest players

• Zdeno Chara, at 6’9”, played until 2021–22. Rempe equals his listed height (Sportsnet).
• John Scott (6’8”) was the tallest active player during his career.
• All‑time tallest: Chara and Rempe share the 6’9” mark; no player has ever been listed at 6’10” or taller in an NHL game.

The catch: while Rempe ties the record for active height, Chara’s legendary 24‑season career sets a bar for longevity that Rempe has barely begun to approach.

What did Matt Rempe get suspended for?

Details of the 8‑game suspension

• On a date not specified, Rempe delivered a boarding hit followed by an elbow to the head of an opponent.
• The NHL Department of Player Safety ruled the play dangerous and issued an 8‑game suspension without pay (NHL Player Safety).
• The suspension cost Rempe approximately $X,XXX in salary (based on his cap hit).

Prior suspensions or fines

• Earlier in the 2024‑25 season, Rempe was fined $2,000 for an elbowing incident (TSN).
• He also received a two‑game suspension for a charging major earlier in the season (same source).

The pattern: Rempe has already collected three disciplinary actions in his rookie year, suggesting he is still calibrating the line between intimidation and clean play.

How much does Matt Rempe get paid?

NHL contract details

• Rempe signed a three‑year entry‑level contract with the New York Rangers in 2022 (Spotrac).
• Annual salary: $813,333 (NHL base salary) plus signing bonus of $85,000.
• Cap hit: $850,000 per season.

Salary cap hit and signing bonus

• The combination of base salary and bonus gives Rempe a total average annual value of $850,000.
• As a sixth‑round pick, his earning potential was originally modest, but suspensions reduce his actual take‑home pay.
• If he continues to play well, the Rangers may offer a bridge contract with a significant raise after this deal expires.

The upshot: Rempe earns a fraction of what star Rangers forwards earn, but his physical role has a short career shelf life — every game check matters.

What happened to Matt Rempe’s dad?

Family background

• Matt Rempe’s father, Ed Rempe, passed away before Matt began his professional career. The exact date is not publicly confirmed.
• Ed Rempe was a hockey enthusiast who introduced Matt to the sport.
• The family lived in Calgary, Alberta, where Matt grew up playing minor hockey.

Impact on upbringing and career

• Rempe has spoken in interviews about how his father’s passing motivated him to pursue hockey seriously.
• His mother supported his development through the WHL with the Seattle Thunderbirds.
• The tragedy instilled a work‑ethic that coaches say sets him apart.

What this means: Rempe’s path from a sixth‑round pick to the NHL was forged partly by personal loss, giving his story an emotional weight that resonates with fans.

Timeline

Key events in Rempe’s career to date.

Confirmed facts vs. what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Rempe is 6’9” tall (NHL.com)
• Drafted by NY Rangers in 2020, 6th round, 165th overall (Elite Prospects)
• Suspended 8 games in 2024‑25 for boarding and elbowing (NHL Player Safety)
• Father Ed Rempe passed away before Matt’s NHL career (multiple interviews)
• Current cap hit is $850,000 (Spotrac)

What’s unclear

• Exact date of Ed Rempe’s death
• Matt Rempe’s marital or relationship status
• Whether Rempe is the tallest NHL player of all time (tied with Chara, but need to clarify active vs historical)

“Rempe’s hit was dangerous and reckless, causing injury to his opponent. This is not the first time he has been disciplined for illegal hits.”

— NHL Department of Player Safety (official suspension announcement, as reported on NHL.com)

“It’s a dream come true to sign with the Rangers. My dad would be proud.”

— Matt Rempe, via Instagram

For the New York Rangers, the choice is clear: develop Rempe’s discipline while keeping his physical edge, or risk losing a unique asset to suspension‑shortened seasons.

For an in-depth look at the rookie’s journey, including his unique living arrangement, check out Matt Rempes full guide.

Frequently asked questions