The New York Rangers recalled their six-foot-eight yard-dog forward Matt Rempe on Tuesday from the AHL Hartford Wolfpack after having served an eight-game suspension. He is officially eligible to return against the New Jersey Devils at Madison Square Garden on Thursday.

And Rempe acknowledged another violation could lead to a “huge suspension,” forcing him to confront the daunting challenge of embracing his physicality — the strength that helped him carve out a marginal role in the first place and become a fan favorite after debuting last February — while preventing it from becoming reckless.

Returning to practice on Wednesday afternoon following an eight-game suspension, Rangers enforcer Matt Rempe admitted that he must play smarter moving forward.

New York Rangers forward Matt Rempe is no stranger to controversial hits. The young Blueshirts winger has developed a reputation as one of the league’s more bruising forwards. However, he has also cultivated a reputation as a dangerous player.

Matt Rempe appears to have taken his most recent suspension to heart. Speaking to reporters Wednesday following his eight-game ban for elbowing Dallas