Matt Rempe, a forward for the New York Rangers, has only played in 22 regular-season games in the NHL, but he has already received his second major suspension.

On Sunday, the NHL’s Department of Player Safety announced that Rempe is suspended for eight games due to a hit he delivered on Dallas Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen during a game on Friday night.

The 22-year-old Rempe was in his first game back after being called up from the Hartford Wolfpack in the American Hockey League. He was penalized with a five-minute elbowing penalty and received a game misconduct for the incident in the third period, marking the fourth time he has been ejected in his brief career. Heiskanen was able to return to the game afterward.

He is being suspended for both elbowing and boarding offenses.

“It is crucial to understand that leading up to the hit, Rempe saw nothing but Heiskanen’s back for an extended period,” the suspension video stated. “Rempe is fully in control of how the play unfolds, and he must avoid contact, alter the angle to prevent hitting a defenseless player from behind, or at least minimize the impact of the impending collision.”

Instead, he executed a forceful hit from behind and raised his elbow and forearm “recklessly,” as noted by the department.

In the previous season, the 6-foot-9, 255-pound Rempe received a four-game suspension for elbowing New Jersey Devils defenseman Jonas Siegenthaler, resulting in a concussion for Siegenthaler.

This previous suspension cost him $17,083.32 in salary. The current eight-game suspension will result in a loss of $80,000, reflecting a higher per-game cost due to his status as a repeat offender.

Last season, Rempe endeared himself to Rangers fans with his willingness to fight some of the league’s toughest players. Even Toronto Maple Leafs enforcer Ryan Reaves, who has fought Rempe, remarked that he would become “a menace in the league” and described him as “a really nice humble kid.”

This season, much of Rempe’s time has been spent in the AHL, working on improving his overall skills. Friday’s game marked only his fifth appearance in the NHL this season.

(This story has been updated to include additional information regarding the suspension.)