Penguins get first look at Rutger McGroarty in prospect tournament
After leaving Michigan and the Jets organization in the hopes of cracking the Penguins’ roster, McGroarty began his fight for a spot in the NHL in Friday’s Prospects Challenge.
Penguins fans got their first look at top prospect Rutger McGroarty on Friday in the opening of the Prospects Challenge in Buffalo.
McGroarty made his debut in black and gold while playing left wing on the squad’s top line in a game against Boston Bruins prospects.
Rutger McGroarty, on his first game in black and gold: "It was awesome. The past couple weeks have been very hectic, so it was good. It was good to just go out there and do what I love, honestly. And obviously, throwing on the Penguins jersey, it's awesome. It was fun." pic.twitter.com/f53E11vDjh
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 13, 2024
Rutger McGroarty said the coaches' message was, "Just don't be someone that you're not. Go out there, do what you do best. Obviously, they know that we've had one practice together, and it's our first game. And just compete. I feel like our team had a good compete level today."
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 13, 2024
McGroarty recorded an assist and goal during the prospects’ 6-3 win over the Bruins’ squad.
His assist came on a goal by right winger Avery Hayes, who seemed to click with McGroarty both on the prospects’ top line and power play. The two are also roommates this week in Buffalo, per OHL reporter Brandon Caputo.
Hayes is seeking a breakout season with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins after his first campaign with the AHL squad was limited by injury last year.
Rutger McGroarty finds Avery Hayes for Pittsburgh's first goal of the prospect tournament pic.twitter.com/k7SFMRgZZj
— Kyle Cushman (@Kyle_Cush) September 13, 2024
Rutger McGroarty added context to this play: "It's actually a really sick tip, what he did. I mean, it looks easy, but it was kind of bobbling on him. And he deflected it and put it over the goalie's pad." https://t.co/Jaru0aLUhQ
— Pens Inside Scoop (@PensInsideScoop) September 13, 2024
McGroarty later netted his own goal by crashing the netfront against the Bruins prospects.
Rutger McGroarty nets his first goal in a #LetsGoPens uniform.
— Kyle Watson (@kyle_nw) September 13, 2024
5-3 PIT at the Rookie tournament in Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/UMI0xRtSBC
The highlight of McGroarty’s game (arguably) didn’t show up on the stat sheet:
Bruins prospect to Rutger McGroarty: "Are you a f---ing idiot?"
— Dan Kingerski (@TheDanKingerski) September 13, 2024
McGroarty: No, but you are.
McGroarty said after the Penguins traded Brayden Yager in order to acquire him from the Jets last month that he understood he had earned nothing with his new team but a trip to Buffalo.
“For me, I’ve been promised a spot at the (Prospects Challenge), and that’s about it,” McGroarty said in August, per Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. “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.”
McGroarty established himself as one of the most productive forwards in college hockey last season as he racked up 16 goals and 36 assists in 36 games for Michigan. His 1.44 points-per-game average ranked seventh among DI forwards.
Selected by the Jets as the No. 14 pick of the 2022 draft, McGroarty wanted a trade away from Winnipeg in order to find a clearer path to NHL playing time, Murat Ates previously reported for The Athletic.
The next step toward that goal will be a strong performance at Penguins training camp when it begins next Wednesday.
Before then McGroarty will get two more chances to show off his game as the Prospects Challenge continues at noon Saturday against the Ottawa Senators squad, followed by a Monday afternoon contest against the Buffalo Sabres prospects.