Rutger McGroarty
{{Short description|American ice hockey player (born 2004)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox ice hockey biography
| name = Rutger McGroarty
| image = 2020-01-19 Ice hockey at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics – Men's tournament – Preliminary round – Switzerland vs. USA (Martin Rulsch) 119.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = McGroarty at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|3|30}}
| birth_place = Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lb = 205
| position = Forward
| shoots = Left
| league = NHL
| team = Pittsburgh Penguins
| prospect_team =
| prospect_league = AHL
| ntl_team =
| draft = 14th overall
| draft_year = 2022
| draft_team = Winnipeg Jets
| career_start = 2024
}}
Rutger McGroarty (born March 30, 2004) is an American professional ice hockey forward for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL entry draft, but was traded to the Penguins before he began his professional career.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/7/7/ice-hockey-nazar-mcgroarty-selected-back-to-back-in-first-round-of-nhl-draft.aspx |title=Nazar, McGroarty Selected Back-to-Back in First Round of NHL Draft |first=Kristy |last=McNeil|website=MGoBlue.com |date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}
Playing career
=Early years=
McGroarty spent two seasons with the USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USNTDP). He was the first player from the state of Nebraska to play for the USNTDP.{{cite web |url=https://theathletic.com/2976687/2021/11/29/meet-rutger-mcgroarty-the-nebraska-kid-making-history-on-his-way-to-the-2022-nhl-draft/ |title=Meet Rutger McGroarty, the Nebraska kid making history on his way to the 2022 NHL Draft |first=Scott |last=Wheeler |work=The Athletic |date=November 29, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} During the 2020–21 season, he recorded 20 goals and 21 assists in 53 games. The following season, McGroarty recorded 35 goals and 34 assists in 54 games, leading the team in goals, and fourth in points with 69.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/mcgroarty-off-ice-work-paying-off-before-nhl-draft/c-334572488 |title=McGroarty's off-ice work paying off ahead of 2022 NHL Draft |first=Adam |last=Scheder-Kimelman |website=NHL.com |date=June 14, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022}} He competed at the 2022 BioSteel All-American Game where he recorded an assist and a goal with 2:37 left in regulation to force overtime. He was subsequently named the game's MVP.{{cite web |url=https://www.biosteelallamericangame.com/news_article/show/1205331 |title=Hard Work for Rutger McGroarty Pays Off with MVP Performance at BioSteel All-American Game |first=Tom |last=Robinson |website=biosteelallamericangame.com |date=January 25, 2022 |access-date=July 8, 2022}}
In July 2022, McGroarty was selected in the first round, 14th overall, by the Winnipeg Jets in the 2022 NHL entry draft, surpassing Jake Guentzel (77th overall, 2013) to become the highest drafted player from the state of Nebraska.{{cite web |url=https://www.klkntv.com/lincoln-native-rutger-mcgroarty-selected-14th-overall-in-nhl-draft/ |title=Lincoln native Rutger McGroarty selected 14th overall in NHL draft|last=Michelson |first=Lauren|website=KLKN-TV |date=July 7, 2022 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}
=Collegiate=
McGroarty committed to play college ice hockey for the Michigan Wolverines of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) beginning in the 2022–23 season.{{cite web |url=https://journalstar.com/sports/stars-hockey/rutger-mcgroarty-grew-up-with-the-lincoln-stars-now-hes-waiting-to-hear-his-named/article_b6d293da-2479-56d5-bf74-d416216699b4.html |title=Rutger McGroarty grew up with the Lincoln Stars. Now, he's waiting to hear his named called during the NHL Draft |first=Tim |last=Gray |newspaper=Lincoln Journal Star |date=July 6, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022}} During his freshman season, he recorded 18 goals and 21 assists in 39 games.
McGroarty was named the Hockey Commissioners Association co-Player of the Month for the opening month of the 2023–24 season. He led the nation in scoring during October, finishing with 15 points in eight games (five goals and 10 assists). He had at least one point in seven games, including the first five of the season, to extend his point-scoring streak to a career-high 13 games. In the eight games he played, he had multiple points in five. He also scored two game-winning goals and two power-play goals and led the team in shots with 33.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/11/1/2023-24-michigan-ice-hockey-awards-and-honors |title=Awards and Honors: McGroarty Named National Co-Player of the Month |first=Kristy |last=McNeil|website=MGoBlue.com |date=November 1, 2023 |access-date=November 1, 2023}} McGroarty was named the Hockey Commissioners Association Player of the Month for the month of January 2024, averaging 2.67 points per game. He recorded three goals and 13 assists, scoring in all six games, and had multiple points in five of the games.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2024/2/6/2023-24-michigan-ice-hockey-awards-and-honors |title=Awards and Honors: McGroarty named HCA Player of the Month |first=Kristy |last=McNeil|website=MGoBlue.com |date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://hockeycommissioners.com/articles/20232024/abby-hustler-and-rutger-mcgroarty-top-hca-monthly-honors.php |title=Abby Hustler and Rutger McGroarty Top HCA Monthly Honors |website=HockeyCommissioners.com |date=February 6, 2024 |access-date=February 6, 2024}} He would finish his sophomore season with 16 goals and 36 assists in 36 games played. His 52 points ranked second on the team in scoring, whereas his 1.59 points per game ranked fourth in the nation. Following the season, McGroarty was named to the All-Big Ten First team, and named an AHCA West Second Team All-American.{{cite web |url=https://www.michigandaily.com/sports/ice-hockey/brindley-multiple-michigan-hockey-players-earn-big-ten-postseason-honors/ |title=Brindley, multiple Michigan hockey players earn Big Ten postseason honors |work=The Michigan Daily |first=Lys |last=Goldman |date=March 20, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://ahcahockey.com/news/2324/0412d1aa.php |title=Men's CCM/AHCA Hockey Division I All-Americans Announced |website=AHCAHockey.com |date=April 12, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}
Collectively, he finished his collegiate career with 34 goals, 57 assists and 91 points in 75 games for the Wolverines.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/penguins-acquire-forward-rutger-mcgroarty-from-the-winnipeg-jets-in-exchange-for-brayden-yager |title=Penguins Acquire Forward Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets in Exchange for Brayden Yager|publisher=Pittsburgh Penguins |via=NHL.com |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}
=Professional=
Prior to the 2024–25 season, reports emerged that McGroarty refused to sign with Winnipeg, with the team beginning to explore trade options.{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5583575/2024/06/22/winnipeg-jets-rutger-mcgroarty-trade/ |title=What I’m hearing about why Winnipeg Jets top prospect Rutger McGroarty is in trade talks |work=The Athletic |first=Murat |last=Ates |date=June 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |url-access=subscription}} On August 22, 2024, McGroarty was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Brayden Yager.{{cite web |url=https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/winnipeg-jets-trade-michigan-star-rutger-mcgroarty-to-penguins-1.2164812 |title=Jets trade Michigan star McGroarty to Penguins for Yager |website=TSN.ca |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40953624/source-jets-trade-rutger-mcgroarty-penguins-brayden-yager |title=Jets trade Rutger McGroarty to Penguins for Brayden Yager |website=ESPN.com|first=Kristen |last=Shilton |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}} Following the trade, he immediately signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/winnipeg-trades-rutger-mcgroarty-to-pittsburgh-for-brayden-yager |title=McGroarty traded to Penguins by Jets for Yager |website=NHL.com |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5717066/2024/08/22/rutger-mcgroarty-trade-jets-penguins/ |title=Penguins acquire Rutger McGroarty from Jets, sign him to 3-year entry-level deal |work=The Athletic |first1=Murat |last1=Ates |first2=Josh |last2=Yohe |first3=Scott |last3=Wheeler |first4=Jenna |last4=West |date=August 22, 2024 |access-date=August 22, 2024 |url-access=subscription}} He made the Penguins' opening night roster, and made his NHL debut on October 9, 2024, where he had one shot on goal in 12:20 time on ice.{{cite web |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2024/10/07/penguins-opening-night-roster-rutger-mcgroarty-valtteri-puustinen-make-the-cut-b/stories/202410070064 |title=Penguins opening night roster: Rutger McGroarty makes the cut; Harrison Brunicke sent to juniors |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |first=Cameron |last=Hoover |date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 9, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.si.com/onsi/breakaway/news-feed-page/pittsburgh-penguins-rutger-mcgroarty-makes-opening-night-roster |title=Penguins Rookie Makes Opening Night Roster |publisher=Sports Illustrated |first=Jacob |last=Punturi |date=October 7, 2024 |access-date=October 9, 2024}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/new-york-rangers-pittsburgh-penguins-game-recap-october-9 |title=Rangers score 6, shut out Penguins in season opener |website=NHL.com |first=Wes |last=Crosby |date=October 9, 2024 |access-date=October 9, 2024}} On October 16, 2024, he was assigned to the Penguins' AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. Prior to being reassigned, he was scoreless in three games for the Penguins.{{cite web |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/penguins/2024/10/16/penguins-send-rutger-mcgroarty-to-american-hockey-league/stories/202410160084 |title=Penguins send top prospect Rutger McGroarty to American Hockey League |newspaper=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |first=Matt |last=Vensel |date=October 16, 2024 |access-date=October 16, 2024}} On March 29, 2025, McGroarty was recalled by the Penguins. Prior to being recalled he recorded 14 goals and 25 assists in 60 games.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/rookie-duo-rewarded-penguins-call-up-mcgroarty-koivunen |title=Rookie Duo Rewarded: Penguins Call Up McGroarty, Koivunen |website=NHL.com |first=Michelle |last=Crechiolo |date=March 29, 2025 |access-date=March 29, 2025}} On April 3, 2025, in a game against the St. Louis Blues, he scored his first career NHL goal with 23.5 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and force overtime. Although the Penguins lost the game 5–4, McGroarty also had an assist earlier in the contest, with his first two NHL points also marking his first multi-point NHL game.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/penguins/news/mcgroarty-scores-first-nhl-goal-koivunen-gets-first-nhl-point |title=McGroarty Scores First NHL Goal, Koivunen Gets First NHL Point |website=NHL.com |first=Michelle |last=Crechiolo |date=April 3, 2025 |access-date=April 3, 2025}}
International play
{{MedalTableTop||name=}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ih|USA}}}}
{{MedalSport|Ice hockey}}
{{MedalCompetition|World Junior Championships}}
{{MedalGold|2024 Sweden|}}
{{MedalBronze|2023 Canada|}}
{{MedalCompetition|World U18 Championships}}
{{MedalSilver|2022 Germany|}}
{{MedalBottom}}
McGroarty represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and won a silver medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.teamusa.org/News/2020/January/22/Mens-Ice-Hockey-Team-Secures-Silver-Against-Russia-At-Youth-Olympic-Games |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200317210618/https://www.teamusa.org/News/2020/January/22/Mens-Ice-Hockey-Team-Secures-Silver-Against-Russia-At-Youth-Olympic-Games |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 17, 2020 |title=Men's Ice Hockey Team Secures Silver At Youth Olympic Games |first=Gabrielle |last=Scheder-Bieschin |website=teamusa.org |date=January 22, 2020 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}
McGroarty represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was scoreless in five games.{{cite web |url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nhl/news/iihf-u18-mens-world-championship-2021-rosters-nhl-draft-status-jersey-numbers-for-all-10-teams/9lkj9lba3bba1stppxzqctevb |title=IIHF U18 Men's World Championship 2021: Rosters, NHL draft status, jersey numbers for all 10 teams |first=Jackie |last=Spiegel |website=sportingnews.com |date=April 26, 2021 |access-date=July 7, 2022}} He again represented the United States at the 2022 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he served as team captain and recorded eight goals and one assist in six games and won a silver medal.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2022/4/21/ice-hockey-six-incoming-wolverines-to-compete-at-u18-world-championships.aspx |title=Six Incoming Wolverines to Compete at U18 World Championships |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=April 21, 2022 |access-date=July 7, 2022}}
On December 12, 2022, McGroarty was named to the United States men's national junior ice hockey team to compete at the 2023 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/2023-world-junior-championship-rosters/c-338699372 |title=2023 World Junior Championship rosters |website=NHL.com |first=Adam |last=Kimelman |date=December 12, 2022 |access-date=December 12, 2022}} During the tournament he recorded one goal and six assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.{{cite web |url=https://mgoblue.com/news/2023/1/2/ice-hockey-record-number-of-wolverines-set-to-compete-at-iihf-world-juniors.aspx |title=Wolverines at the 2023 World Junior Championship: Fantilli and Canada Win Gold; USA Takes Bronze |first=Kristy |last=McNeil |publisher=CBS Interactive |website=MGoBlue.com |date=January 2, 2023 |access-date=January 2, 2023}}
On December 16, 2023, McGroarty was again named to Team USA's roster to compete at the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships where he served as team captain. During the tournament he recorded five goals and four assists in seven games and won a gold medal.{{cite web |url=https://www.nhl.com/news/cutter-gauthier-leads-united-states-2024-world-junior-roster |title=Gauthier leads United States 2024 World Junior roster |website=NHL.com |first=Mike G. |last=Morreale |date=December 16, 2023 |access-date=December 16, 2023}} He was the first forward to captain a U.S. National Junior Team since Joey Anderson in 2018.{{cite web |url=https://teamusa.usahockey.com/news_article/show/1294828 |title=McGroarty Named Captain of U.S. National Junior Team |website=teamusa.usahockey.com |publisher=USA Hockey |date=December 20, 2023 |access-date=December 20, 2023}}
Personal life
McGroarty was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. His father, Jim, is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman from Mississauga, Ontario, while his mother, Cindy, is a native Nebraskan.{{cite web|url= https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/jets-mcgroarty-world-juniors-1.7072010|title=Jets prospect McGroarty savouring 2nd world juniors appearance with U.S. team|first=Joshua|last=Clipperton|date=December 31, 2023|website=CBC News|access-date=January 5, 2023}} The family moved to Michigan before McGroarty joined the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP).
Career statistics
=Regular season and playoffs=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" style="text-align:center; width:60em;" | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! rowspan="101" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Regular season ! rowspan="101" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! colspan="5"|Playoffs | ||||||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Season ! Team ! League ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||||||
| 2020–21
| U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 53 | 20 | 21 | 41 | 34
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2021–22 | U.S. National Development Team | USHL | 54 | 35 | 34 | 69 | 65
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2022–23
| B1G | 39 | 18 | 21 | 39 | 18
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2023–24 | University of Michigan | B1G | 36 | 16 | 36 | 52 | 6
| — | — | — | — | — |
| 2024–25
| NHL | 8 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2024–25 | Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins | AHL | 60 | 14 | 25 | 39 | 37
| — | — | — | — | — |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="3"|NHL totals ! 8 !! 1 !! 2 !! 3 !! 0 ! — !! — !! — !! — !! — |
=International=
| border="0" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="0" ID="Table3" style="text-align:center; width:40em;" | ||||
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! Year ! Team ! Event ! Result ! rowspan="98" bgcolor="#ffffff"| ! GP !! G !! A !! Pts !! PIM | ||||
| 2021
| U18 | 5th | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2022 | United States | U18 | {{silver2}} | 6 | 8 | 1 | 9 | 27 |
| 2023
| WJC | {{bronze3}} | 7 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| bgcolor="#f0f0f0"
| 2024 | United States | WJC | {{gold1}} | 7 | 5 | 4 | 9 | 10 |
| bgcolor="#e0e0e0"
! colspan="4"|Junior totals ! 25 !! 14 !! 11 !! 25 !! 39 |
Awards and honors
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Ice hockey stats}}
- {{AHL profile|10472}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = Chaz Lucius | title = Winnipeg Jets first round draft pick | years = 2022 | after = Brad Lambert}}
{{s-end}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:McGroarty, Rutger}}
Category:AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
Category:Ice hockey people from Nebraska
Category:Ice hockey players at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
Category:Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey players
Category:NHL first-round draft picks
Category:Pittsburgh Penguins players
Category:Sportspeople from Lincoln, Nebraska
Category:USA Hockey National Team Development Program players
Category:Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players
Category:Winnipeg Jets draft picks
Category:Youth Olympic silver medalists for the United States