A funny video of Matt Rempe coaching young children was posted by the New York Rangers.
The video opens on a sunny Saturday morning at a local ice rink, the kind where the smell of fresh-cut ice and a hint of popcorn from the snack bar fills the air. The camera pans across a group of wide-eyed children, all bundled up in oversized hockey gear that looks like it belongs to grown-ups. Their helmets are slightly crooked, some skates are on backwards, and one kid’s jersey is inside out. It’s chaos, but the kind of chaos that makes your heart melt.
Standing front and center is Matt Rempe, the New York Rangers’ stalwart defenseman, looking a little out of his usual element but excited to take on the role of coach for these pint-sized pucksters. He’s dressed down in a Rangers hoodie, a whistle around his neck, and a big goofy grin that says, “Let’s do this.”
As the camera zooms in, Matt claps his hands and calls out, “Alright, team! Who’s ready to learn how to skate like the pros?”
The kids respond with a mix of cheers, giggles, and one or two confused “Huh?” faces. Matt laughs, clearly used to a very different kind of crowd, and says, “Okay, let’s start with the basics. First, balance. Who here can stand on one foot without falling over?”
One brave little girl named Sophie raises her hand confidently. Matt encourages her, “Alright, Sophie, show us what you’ve got!” She lifts one foot, wobbles precariously, then promptly falls sideways into a heap on the ice. The camera catches Matt’s reaction—half horror, half pure amusement.
“Close enough!” he says with a thumbs-up. “Balance is tricky, but with practice, you’ll be zamboni-ing circles around us all.”
The next segment is supposed to be a simple drill: skating forwards. Matt demonstrates with exaggerated slow-motion strides, carefully exaggerating every movement. The kids try to mimic him, but it quickly turns into a hilarious free-for-all. One kid, who we later learn is named Max, decides forward is overrated and starts skating backwards, laughing all the way. Another kid, Tommy, keeps skating in circles, clearly chasing an invisible squirrel.
Matt calls out, “Max! Tommy! Focus! We want forwards, not disco moves!” but the kids just laugh and keep going.
At one point, Matt tries to show the kids how to stop properly. He glides gracefully, then plants his skate and comes to a neat halt. The kids, however, try to copy him by skidding sideways and crashing into the boards, giggling uncontrollably. One little boy, Liam, performs a full dramatic belly flop onto the ice as if he’s just taken a dive in a slapstick comedy. Matt skates over, helps him up, and says, “Perfect! You’re already mastering the art of falling. That’s half the battle in hockey.”
The laughter is contagious, and the atmosphere feels less like a serious training session and more like a fun ice party hosted by Matt Rempe.
The video cuts to a “passing drill,” which is basically Matt throwing a puck gently towards the kids, who either miss completely or whack it off in the wrong direction. One kid sends the puck flying straight into the net, and Matt acts like it was a goal scored at Madison Square Garden, raising his arms triumphantly. “Goal of the century, folks! Did you see that?”
He then challenges the kids to a mini scrimmage. Two teams are quickly formed, but given the skill levels (or lack thereof), the game is more about chasing the puck than scoring goals. The kids bump into each other, skate into the boards, and one girl, Emma, accidentally scores on her own net, looking puzzled but proud. Matt just shakes his head, chuckling, “Great hustle, Emma! That’s what hockey’s all about.”
During the scrimmage, Matt decides to give some commentary in a mock-serious sports announcer voice. “And here comes Tommy, the speedster! He’s circling… he’s circling… oh no, he’s lost the puck again!” The kids erupt in giggles as Matt continues, “Max with the puck—oh wait, he’s skating the wrong way! Classic Max!” It’s clear the kids love the playful energy.
Halfway through, Matt calls for a water break. The kids gather around, helmets askew and faces flushed, clutching their water bottles. Matt kneels down, looks at each of them, and says, “Remember, hockey is about having fun and never giving up. Also, always drink your water, or you’ll be as dry as the desert during a shootout.”
The kids laugh, and Matt then asks if anyone wants to hear a secret hockey tip. One by one, the kids lean in closer, eyes wide. Matt whispers dramatically, “If you ever find yourself stuck on the ice, just pretend you’re a superhero flying—because in hockey, everyone’s got a little superpower.”
The video then shows the kids attempting a “superhero flying” drill where they push off the ice and glide with their arms spread out like wings. Some fall immediately, some glide a little, and others just collapse laughing. Matt claps along, clearly enjoying every second.
Toward the end, Matt gathers the kids for a big group photo. They huddle together, some leaning on each other, others making goofy faces. Matt holds up a puck and says, “Remember, no matter what, you’re all Rangers in my book. Keep practicing, keep smiling, and one day, maybe you’ll be coaching me!”
As the video fades out, Matt waves goodbye, slipping on the ice one last time with a comedic stumble. The kids burst into cheers, and the screen cuts to the Rangers logo with the caption: “Matt Rempe’s Rookie Camp: Future Stars in the Making.”
The video, while short, captures the pure joy of learning something new with the encouragement of a pro athlete who doesn’t take himself too seriously. It’s equal parts funny, heartwarming, and inspiring, reminding viewers that hockey — like life — is about the fun, the falls, and the friendships along the way.
Want me to spin it into a full story for a blog or script format? Or maybe add some fictional dialogue to make it feel even more alive?
