Matt Rempe's childhood inspiration Tom Wilson responds to Rempe watching his fight compilations to get hyped up

By Abhishek Dilta

Modified Apr 22, 2024 21:34 GMT

Washington Capitals enforcer Tom Wilson has responded to Matt Rempe admitting he used to watch a compilation of Wilson's fights on YouTube to get fired up before entering the ice.

Rempe said (via foreverblueshirts.com):

"When I was younger, I think there’s this montage of him on YouTube just blowing guys up. I used to watch that sometimes when I was younger, it got me fired up.”

Wilson couldn't hide his grin on discovering that Rempe is a huge fan of his physical playing style He responded with a smile:

"Hmm."

It's set to be a tough showdown in Round 1 of the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs as the Capitals and the Rangers clash in what promises to be a gritty series.

Both Matt Rempe and Tom Wilson are known for their hard hits and fighting skills. They will be up against each other for the first time in the playoffs when the Rangers host the Capitals at the MSG in Game 1 on Saturday,

For Rempe, it's a significant moment, as he faces a player he admires and has drawn inspiration from.

Ahead of the Rangers-Capitals showdown, Rempe expressed his admiration for Tom Wilson. The Blue Shirts' 21-year-old rookie reckoned Wilson is versatile and excels in various aspects of the game. The Rangers forward emphasized that he considers Wilson a highly talented player and a fierce competitor.

Matt Rempe said (via The Hockey News):

"I like the way he plays. He plays hard, very skilled player as well. It's a guy who does a lot of different things. Obviously, I got a lot of respect for that guy," Rempe said of No. 43. "I think he's a hell of a player.... I know he's a really good competitor."

Matt Rempe rose to fame after becoming the first player to debut in an outdoor NHL game. He made quite the statement by dropping the gloves against the Islanders' Matt Martin on his very first shift in the league.

Rempe ended his debut season by accumulating two points and made a notable impact with 50 hits in his 17 games. It will be intriguing to witness the result when Rempe squares off against his childhood idol in the playoffs.

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Tom Wilson praises Matt Rempe ahead of Capitals-Rangers playoff series

Ahead of Game 1 between the Capitals and the Rangers, Wilson lauded Matt Rempe. The 29-year-old Caps forward reckoned Rempe, being a young player who has already made a mark in the league, would inject high energy into the game.

Wilson expects Rempe to be flying around the ice with enthusiasm, aiming to spark his team with his dynamic presence (via The Hockey News):

"Everyone's out there flying around with all that excitement, so I'm assuming he's going to be that way," Wilson said. "He's a young guy that's had an impact on the league and he's gonna be high-energy and trying to get their team going."

The puck for the game drops at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday.