Exuberant top-prospect McGroarty sees bright future with Jets

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This article was published 05/07/2023 (821 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rutger McGroarty is the life of the party. Not to mention a man of the people.

Whether it’s chirping teammates after a beautiful bar-down goal, posing for pictures and signing autographs with dozens of young fans as he made his way off the ice or doing push-ups in between interviews in the dressing room, the energy and excitement he exudes is palpable.

“I feel like that’s just who I am as a kid,” McGroarty said Wednesday during Winnipeg Jets development camp. “Just getting out there, saying, ‘Hi’ and taking pictures, whatever the community needs. It’s awesome.”

McGroarty might just be what the Jets need, and not just owing to the fact he’s likely to become a future fan favourite. The 19-year-old forward, chosen 14th overall by Winnipeg last summer, is at or near the top of a promising list of young forward prospects now in the organizational pipeline.

“We got a bunch of ball players,” said McGroarty, which we quickly learn is a term of endearment he loves to use.

“A lot of young talent. I feel like it’s really cool because we’ve gotten so close so far and just kind of growing together and going through the growing pains together. I feel like that’s going to be crucial. We’re going to be best friends one day. Might as well start now, starting hanging out, laughing, having fun. I’m really excited. Future is definitely bright here.”

McGroarty is coming off a strong rookie season at the University of Michigan where he put up 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games, plus a dynamic showing at the world junior championship in which he had seven points (1G, 6A) in seven games to help lead the United States to a bronze medal.

Chaz Lucius, who was taken 18th overall by the Jets in 2021, also starred in that event, scoring a hat trick (his third tally came in overtime) in a wild 8-7 U.S. victory over Sweden.

“What a crazy game that was, for sure. I’m definitely glad we won that,” said Lucius, seated beside McGroarty in the locker room at the former Iceplex.

McGroarty, Lucius and Winnipeg’s other two recent first-rounders — Brad Lambert (2022) and Colby Barlow (2023) — have bonded instantly this week.

“Barlow, he’s a beauty,” said McGroarty.

“I mean, this is an organization that we’re all a part of. We’re all united as one, so you’ve got to build those relationships with the staff, the players. I’ve gotten really close with a couple of guys. Everybody is a great human here, a great organization. It’s been a lot of fun.”

McGroarty is likely headed back to college this fall for at least one more season, just as Barlow will presumably return to the Ontario Hockey League.

Lambert and Lucius, who both started last season with the Manitoba Moose before being returned to junior, will be trying to make the Jets out of training camp in September, with the AHL as the fall-back plan.

“When I got to Portland (of the WHL) I just felt really confident there. I had some swagger in my game, for sure,” said Lucius. “That was something I was kind of missing when I was in Manitoba. Now that I kind of got that back, (I’ll) try and carry it over.”

Unfortunately, a serious shoulder injury in February required surgery and ended his season before he could try to make a run for the Memorial Cup, which Lambert ultimately did with the Seattle Thunderbirds. Lucius is wearing a yellow non-contact jersey this week but said he’s close to 100 per cent.

“I’d say another two to three weeks until I can get contact going,” said Lucius, who hopes the injury bug which has now bitten him three straight years starts to leave him alone.

“I’m not going to dwell on it,” he said. “It is what it is. Like I said that’s life, the only thing you can do is keep moving forward and try your best.”

Jimmy Roy, the Jets director of player development, is thrilled to be hosting development camp in person for the first time since the pandemic began. It’s been an online-only event for the past few season.

“I think for coaches and management, to see some of the players we’ve drafted, on ice and in person, building relationships with these kids and they get to come in and see our environment and see what we’re about, it’s pretty special since,” he said.

Players undergo a number of sessions in addition to four on-ice sessions, including fitness testing, media training, nutritional information and mental health awareness.

“It’s about them kind of being their own coach and what they can take away from this to be able to work on it on their own, when they get in their own environment, whether it’s back at school or back in junior, with the Moose, whatever,” said Roy.

“Understanding how to develop themselves, because you don’t always have a coach there to push you. You have to learn to do it yourself.”

The man in charge loves what he sees.

“We’ve got a great young group of kids that are starting to build relationships,” said Roy. “The opportunities are coming for them more and more as we’re moving up.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg