New York Rangers currently suspended enforcer Matt Rempe has oddly found a huge supporter in Sarah Palin, as the controversial politician has spoken out in support of the 22-year-old.
Palin posted positive things about Rempe on social media after it was announced the tough guy was ineligible to play on Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes because he was awaiting a hearing with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, a sign a suspension would be announced imminently.
A few hours later, Rempe’s eight-game ban for his illegal hit on Dallas’ Miro Heiskanen was made official.
On the illegal play which saw Rempe get ejected from Friday’s game against the Stars, he committed two acts at once that are called penalties in elbowing and boarding.
The 6-foot-9, 255-pound Rempe sent Heiskanen crumbling to the ice after contact, the exact kind of barbaric hit the NHL wants to outlaw from hockey. Yet, Palin wanted to show her support for Rempe.
‘Shoot. Because HE IS THE DIFFERENCE. Since when did so many softies become hockey “fans”?’ Palin said. ‘Anti-Rempe tribe wanting to change the game to kumbaya-hockey think y’all don’t really know the game ~ u better off sticking with tiddlywinks.’
Rempe’s eight-game ban is already one contest in, as the NHL’s suspension is retroactive to before the game against Carolina due to him being held out by the league.
Palin was the governor of Alaska, whose most-played sport is hockey, evidenced by bordering Canada and no other American state.
She has posted support for Rempe in the past as well, constantly giving her advice to the New York front office as a hockey mom from Wasilla.
The Rangers are in the middle of arguably the most disappointing season in the NHL with a 16-16-1 record, sitting on 33 points, which puts New York in sixth place in the Metropolitan Division and out of a playoff position.
Recalling Rempe from the American Hockey League was designed to be a mid-season shake-up to help elevate the team’s play.
The Rangers were thought to be a Stanley Cup contender, instead, their not-so-secret weapon is not eligible to return to the lineup until mid-January.
