Rutger McGroarty

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.

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. 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. 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.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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.

Collectively, he finished his collegiate career with 34 goals, 57 assists and 91 points in 75 games for the Wolverines.

Professional

Prior to the 2024–25 season, reports emerged that McGroarty refused to sign with Winnipeg, with the team beginning to explore trade options. On August 22, 2024, McGroarty was traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Brayden Yager. Following the trade, he immediately signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Penguins. 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. 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. On March 29, 2025, McGroarty was recalled by the Penguins. Prior to being recalled he recorded 14 goals and 25 assists in 60 games. 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.

International play

McGroarty represented the United States at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics and won a silver medal.

McGroarty represented the United States at the 2021 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he was scoreless in five games. 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.

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. During the tournament he recorded one goal and six assists in seven games and won a bronze medal.

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. He was the first forward to captain a U.S. National Junior Team since Joey Anderson in 2018.

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. The family moved to Michigan before McGroarty joined the United States National Team Development Program (USNTDP).

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

International

Awards and honors

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:McGroarty, Rutger
2004 births
Living people
AHCA Division I men's ice hockey All-Americans
Ice hockey people from Nebraska
Ice hockey players at the 2020 Winter Youth Olympics
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey players
NHL first-round draft picks
Pittsburgh Penguins players
Sportspeople from Lincoln, Nebraska
USA Hockey National Team Development Program players
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins players
Winnipeg Jets draft picks
Youth Olympic silver medalists for the United States
21st-century American sportsmen