It was a busy offseason of training, interviews and autograph appearances for New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe, a sudden celebrity of sorts around Manhattan, who last season captured the hearts for his penchant for fighting and riling up the opponent.

Matt Rempe spent a few days over the summer on the ice with retired enforcer Georges Laraque learning the finer points of fighting.

I’m their oldest child,” jokes Rempe, who has been staying with his veteran teammate and his family, including three kids.

I wonder whether Rempe would have more value to the Blueshirts down the stretch and in the playoffs if he were to start the season in Hartford.

Matt Rempe was fighting and Georges Laraque did not like what he saw. "He was getting hit way too much in the face," Laraque said. Get any of our free email newsletters — news headlines, sports, arts & entertainment,