Matt Rempe-inspired Rangers prospect will play for OHL Championship
While the New York Rangers are focused on the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs, members of the front office are also keeping an eye on the future. Prospect Dylan Roobroeck, who was taken in the sixth round of the 2023 NHL Draft, helped lead the Oshawa Generals to a Game 7 win over the North Bay Battalion with two goals and one assist on Monday.
The 6-1 victory sets up a matchup against the London Knights for the OHL Championship after the Generals claimed their first Bobby Orr Trophy since 2015. Oshawa coach Derek Laxdal was thrilled his charges were able to advance after blowing a 3-0 series lead against North Bay.
“You gotta give the kids a lot of credit,” Laxdal said. “It was a tough game getting beat 8-1, but for them to respond that way today, I’m very proud of them as a coach. In all my years coaching that was one of the best efforts I’ve seen in a Game 7 to shut down the other team.”
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Rangers prospect Dylan Roobroeck will play for OHL Title
After a strong performance in Game 7, Roobroeck now has amassed 21 points (10 goals, 11 assists) in 17 postseason games. That’s good for fifth overall in playoff scoring, six points behind North Bay forward Sandis Vilmanis.
During the 2023-24 season, the 6-foot-7 center posted an impressive 72 points (26 goals, 46 assists) in 68 games. Aside from being an excellent playmaker and goal scorer, the 19-year-old is a physical force who has no issues dropping the gloves.
“It’s funny, ever since [Matt] Rempe has come on the scene with the Rangers, Dylan has really picked up his game,” Laxdall said before the series against North Bay. “He sees the effectiveness of a big, heavy player and what he could do. Dylan has a great skill set. He skates well for a big man … he’s really taken a huge step in that area.”
Rempe, who was drafted in the sixth-round of the 2020 draft, also had a bit of scoring touch when playing in the WHL. Before going pro with the Hartford Wolf Pack for the 2022-23 season, he recorded 23 points (17 goals, six assists) in 53 games for the Seattle Thunderbirds.
Looking at Roobroeck’s stats, it’s clear that there’s certainly a higher offensive upside.
“You saw what he did this year,” Laxdal added. “He plays center and left wing. He’s on the penalty kill and power play. When he’s moving his feet, he’s effective and when he gets physical or into fights, he’s really effective.
“We’re looking forward to see what he does at the next level in the American Hockey League and possibly the National Hockey League.”
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