TARRYTOWN ‒ The last time Matt Rempe was home in Calgary, he was a little-known sixth-round draft pick who was probably noticed more for his 6-foot-8 height than his hockey status.

It’s going to be a much different vibe when he returns this week after becoming one of the NHL's most talked-about stories in the months following his captivating Feb. 18 debut.

“Calgary is a big hockey town,” he said with a smile at Rangers’ breakup day on Tuesday at the MSG Training Center. “I know it's going to be pretty nuts. My buddies are excited. Maybe get some free beer.”

While his friends are hoping to be the beneficiaries of the hometown hero's newfound fame, Rempe doesn't sound like someone who plans on spending much time partying.

As popular as he became in such short order, the 21-year-old rookie − he'll turn 22 on June 29 − is determined to prove he's more than just a novelty act.

"I have a big plan," he said before making the approximately 2,400-mile drive from New York back home, which Google Maps estimates taking 37 hours. "I'm going to work on every single part of my game."

Learning experiences

Rempe captured the attention of the hockey world by getting into four fights in his first seven games, each coming against players with reputations as some of the league's best brawlers.

It made him a fast fan favorite, with the Madison Square Garden crowd buzzing every time he touched the ice. But as his face swelled and fighting expectations rose to unsafe levels, the Rangers cautioned him against that punishing pace.

Their desire − and his − was to spend less time dropping the gloves and more adapting to the NHL game.

"I learned a lot of things this year and experienced a lot of different things," he said. "I think improved a lot and I know what I need to do to take the next step."

There were hiccups along the way, including a four-game suspension for elbowing and concussing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler on Mar. 11, with Rempe's penchant for taking penalties and general rawness limiting him to an average of only 5:38 time on ice per game.

He knows he has a long way to go to earn more trust from head coach Peter Laviolette and become a mainstay in the Rangers' bottom six, which is fueling his summer training program.

"I want to bring more to the table," Rempe said. "I want to be a guy that can play eight-to-12 minutes every single night in a role. I grew up as a centerman. I want to play center or wing. I think I can play both positions. I want to be really good defensively. I want to eventually be a penalty killer, but I’ve just got to earn all these things."

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'Nowhere at all satisfied'

It will be fascinating to see if Rempe can round out his game well enough to achieve those goals.

The Rangers were intrigued enough to give the longshot prospect a chance in the first place and keep him on the NHL roster after adding three players at the trade deadline. His physical presence − not just the sheer size and punching ability, but also a league-leading average of 31.36 hits per 60 minutes − made him a menace on the forecheck and immovable object in front of opposing team's nets.

That, coupled with the undeniable energy he brings to the home crowd, convinced Laviolette to dress him in 11 of New York's 16 playoff games, starting with a memorable goal in Game 1 of the first-round series against the Washington Capitals. But as the postseason wore on and the competition got stiffer, there was an obvious and understandable reluctance to use him late in close games.

Improving his decision-making and overall awareness, particularly in transition and defensive-zone situations, will be paramount to lengthening that leash. Nuances such as recognizing when to go for the hit and when to play the puck, timing line changes and staying within the structure of the system will be key aspects of Rempe's development. More efficient skating with all of his lanky, moving parts will be a focus, as well.

"I want to work on my skating, work my skill set, work on making plays with the puck, passing – every part of my game," he said . "I also want to work on the fighting. I want to be a guy. I really enjoy that side of the game, and I want to continue to work on that. And then it's getting stronger, filling into my body more, my mobility – everything. I’ve got a lot of work to do, and I've always done that. I think as a sixth-round pick, I’ve kind of always exceeded expectations. Outwork, outwork, outwork."

If Rempe can make significant enough strides in those areas, the Rangers seem motivated to find a spot for him. Team president Chris Drury has been seeking size, strength and toughness since ascending to the top chair three years ago and may have a homegrown kid who helps him get there.

In fact, he may have two in his midst, along with 6-foot-7 forward Adam Edström. Is it possible for the Blueshirts to build a fourth line around that pair of imposing prospects?

There will surely be outside competition brought in, with one of the Rangers' top summer priorities expected to be adding playoff oomph to push past the likes of the Florida Panthers, who ousted them from the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday. But Rempe sounds to determined to make his case.

It will require a committed offseason regime − "We even signed up for pilates," he quipped − but this season's taste of success and adoration has the eccentric young forward driven to do whatever it takes.

That may mean leaving the free drinks for his buddies to enjoy, but it's a tradeoff he'll happily make.

"A little Calgary kid comes up from (AHL) Hartford, and suddenly seven games in, they’re chanting my name," Rempe said. "It's pretty unbelievable. I love (the fans) so much, and I want them to know I’m nowhere at all satisfied in any aspect of my game. I know how far I still have to go, and that is going to be done. I'm going to go to work every single day. I’m excited to showcase big steps next year."

Vincent Z. Mercogliano is the New York Rangers beat reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Read more of his work at lohud.com/sports/rangers/ and follow him on Twitter @vzmercogliano.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY Rangers: Matt Rempe heads home with big plan for offseason