Jets Tyler Bauer inspired by his friend and Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe

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Joshua Deeds
September 22, 2024 (9:51 PM)

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Matt Rempe and Tyrel Bauer, became friends after they were teammates in Junior Hockey, playing for the Seattle Thunderbirds. Both realized they wanted to make it to the NHL and made it both their goal.

They have pondered if they did end up on different teams, what could happen when they face-off. Considering both tough guys are from Alberta, and Rempe has already made a name for himself in the NHL, the 6'7" 241-pound winger made a name for himself in the NHL, going toe-to-toe with heavyweights in the league.

Bauer saw Rempe fight against some of the NHL's best and enjoy every moment.

«It was really special,» Bauer said. «We're similar, we don't play the same position, but we're similar people, been through the same hardships almost coming up.»

Rempe would get an NHL shot, while Bauer and both were hanging out during the AHL's All-Star-Game break.

Together is a word commonly used for friends.

«It was really special,» Bauer said. «We're similar, we don't play the same position, but we're similar people, been through the same hardships almost coming up.»

Both were drafted back-to-back in 2020, as Bauer went 164th to the Jets, and Rempe 165th to the Rangers.

«I knew that some fireworks were coming,» Bauer said. «He probably knew there might have been some fireworks coming.»

Rempe would make his debut during the outdoor game against the New York Islanders, as Blake Wheeler was out of the lineup. It was a big deal for Rempe to make the debut at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Rempe would fight Matt Martin, an NHL veteran with 955 games, and 155 fights under his belt, defeating him handily, earning Martin's respect.

«A really special part to him and his family, and for me, too, was that it was the sixth anniversary of his father's passing,» Bauer said.

Ron Rempe died from a heart attack on February 18th, 2018, and became teammates on the Seattle Thunderbirds a year and a half later.

«That's something we spent some time working on together,» Bauer said. «It was really emotional. I was just so happy for him (making it to the NHL), to see how far he'd come.

«He's not the kind of guy that guys are going to bat for, or that is getting media attention (during his junior days) or stuff like that. So, to see him keep climbing, watching his work ethic every single day, and see him push through was an inspiration.»

Bauer has followed Rempe's path after arriving in Manitoba's AHL squad, the Moose. He's earned a reputation as a tough guy, as the 6'3" 206 blueliner, isn't shy from dropping the gloves.

Bauer looks up to Rempe, as he's made it to the big game, and they have continued to work together to help each other out along the way in, the hope that Bauer will follow suit.

«Just knowing that if you keep working, you keep breaking barriers you know you're going to make mistakes, there's going to be growing pains along the way, but if you just believe in yourself and keep working, it's going to happen,» Rempe said.

Much like Rempe, he's considered how his path to the NHL is laid out and has continued to train with his best friend, including boxing, pilates, and recovery.

«I know my style of play and the role I play, it takes longer sometimes,» he said. «My goal is to improve every year, year on year, day after day, week after week, game after game. Just get better. Learn. Really be a sponge.»

He and Rempe sound very much alike in the way they approach their game, as Bauer wants to eventually make it to the NHL and maybe one day even compete against his best friend, should he have a chance.