Pittsburgh Review

Penguins President of Hockey Operations and GM Kyle Dubas has emphasized that younger players in the organization have significant opportunities, as the team aims to balance its short- and long-term goals while striving for contention.

The newest Penguins prospect, Rutger McGroarty, hopes to seize his opportunity while understanding he must earn it.

“For me, I've been promised a spot at the (Prospects Challenge), and that's about it,” the 20-year-old forward said from Cranberry on Wednesday. “So, I feel like I'm going to get what I deserve, and I'm going to come ready to work for camp. I like where my game’s at right now, but I'm just excited to get to camp and hopefully leave a good impression on them.”

The Penguins are optimistic about McGroarty’s potential contribution in the near future and quickly acquired the 14th overall pick in 2022 from Winnipeg. While he valued his experiences there, McGroarty believed that parting ways with the Jets was best for his development.

“My agents talked to them, and then I talked to them. I wanted to be upfront and honest with them, and just tell them that I wasn't going to be signing with them,” McGroarty said. “I got nothing but respect for those guys; they handled it with a lot of class, and I wish them nothing but the best. But as I said, I'm fired up to get started here now.”

McGroarty signed a three-year entry-level contract with Pittsburgh shortly after the trade announcement, ending his collegiate career at the University of Michigan after two seasons. He accumulated 34 goals, 57 assists, and 91 points in 75 games during that period.

While McGroarty – who spent his childhood in Lincoln, Nebraska before moving to Michigan at age nine for more challenging opportunities – will miss Ann Arbor, he is eager to begin this new chapter with Pittsburgh.

“I feel like everything's right here – the development path, the veteran guys that they have, the organization that they have and the town as well,” McGroarty said. “I went to a Pirates game on Monday; like, the sports town atmosphere is unbelievable. Then just talking to Kyle and (Assistant GM Jason Spezza), I feel like they're just two incredible hockey minds with a great development path for me.”

Dubas acknowledged it was difficult including 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager in a one-for-one swap but felt adding a blue-chip prospect like McGroarty was ultimately beneficial for Pittsburgh due to his ability, leadership qualities, and competitiveness. At 6-foot-1 and 205 pounds, McGroarty is recognized as a power forward with skill and strong hockey IQ who takes pride in his competitive nature.

“I feel like I come to the rink every single day; work extremely hard; do everything with intent; then hopefully drag other guys across the line with you and help them get better,” McGroarty said before adding humorously: “then I'm also a very vocal guy. I got a ton of energy. I'm always buzzing around. So hopefully some of that is contagious energy that other guys can feed off of.”

This leadership quality has been praised since his time growing up in a USHL locker room while dad Jim coached in the league. He wore an A with Michigan Wolverines as a sophomore captain Team USA won gold medal at World Junior Championship tallying five goals nine points seven games donned C Under-18 World Championship winning silver tournament

That maturity confidence should benefit joining NHL franchise high expectations couldn’t stop grinning considered possibility helping Penguins find success

“I love winning being part atmosphere played lot teams career extent NHL Sidney Crosby Evgeni Malkin Kris Letang grind makes really excited hopefully could part”