National title McGroarty’s focus

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This article was published 10/04/2024 (544 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Make no mistake: Rutger McGroarty is certainly happy to be here. In some ways, more than ever considering what he’s gone through this season.

The top prospect of the Winnipeg Jets is hoping his second trip to the Frozen Four will yield a different result than last year’s heartbreaker, when his Michigan Wolverines were defeated in the semifinal (by the eventual winners, Quinnipiac) and never got to play for all the glory.

“I feel like that’s the biggest difference from last year. Last year, at least for me personally, you just had the vibe in the locker room that, ‘Oh, we’re here, this is incredible, this is awesome’,” McGroarty told the Free Press on Wednesday following his club’s practice at Xcel Energy Center, which is hosting this year’s NCAA equivalent of the Stanley Cup.

“You don’t come to Michigan to make it to the Frozen Four. You come to win national championships. I feel like we have the team to do it. I can’t say enough amazing things about this school and the guys in this locker room. I feel like we can’t let this opportunity go to to waste.

“We have 120 minutes left to play. Maybe extras. One-hundred and 20 minutes and we’re national champions.”

Up first is a Thursday night battle with Boston College (7:30 p.m., ESPN2), with the winner advancing to Saturday’s final to face either Denver or Boston University. Those squads play Thursday afternoon.

No school has won more national hockey titles than Michigan’s nine, but they are seeking their first since 1998. This could be the last hurrah for McGroarty, as the 14th-overall pick from 2022 could opt to turn pro rather than return for a third college season.

Although talks in that regard have been ongoing between the Jets, his adviser and his family, the focus right now is on the challenge ahead.

“They’ve been so respectful with the playoff push,” an appreciative McGroarty said of the Jets, who have kept a close eye on him, with general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and assistant GM Larry Simmons taking in his last two games in person.

In that sense, McGroarty is hoping he doesn’t have to think about his “next step” until at least Sunday, rather than Friday.

“Selfishly, for this team, hopefully I can delay the decision as long as possible,” he said.

McGroarty, 20, will have a few hundred family members and friends cheering him on as he tries to put an exclamation mark on a most incredible season which included being stretchered off the ice last November, spending multiple days in hospital with a punctured lung and fractured rib, only to recover just in time to captain the U.S. World Junior team to a gold medal.

“I’m really proud of the year I’ve had,” said McGroarty, who was one of college hockey’s top point-per-game scorers this season with 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 35 regular-season games.

“Production, just consistency, everything has been really good. I feel all-around I’ve increased my level of play. Power play, five-on-five, four-on-four.”

However, the product of Lincoln, Neb., believes he has another level to get to, especially after what he described as an “unacceptable” personal performance in a 5-2 win over arch-rival Michigan State on March 31 which got them to this stage. He also wasn’t fond of his effort in a 4-3 victory over the University of North Dakota to advance in the opening round of the 16-team field.

“I pride myself on being a playoff hockey player, and I’ve always played well in those big games. These last (couple) games I haven’t played my best,” said McGroarty, who was held without a point in both victories.

“Thank goodness we’re here and I can turn it around and try to be great for this team and do whatever it takes.”

McGroarty is a left-shot who prefers to play on the right side, but is currently skating on the left along with Frank Nazar (drafted 13th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2022) and Gavin Brindley (drafted 34th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2023).

“Honestly, we’ve got nothing to lose. We’re going to leave it all out there,” Nazar said of the Wolverines, who at one point a couple months ago looked like a longshot to even make it to the NCAA playoffs before they got their game in order.

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“Guys have stepped up and put us in this position we’re in now. We were able to put some games together and come together as a team. I feel like we’re in a good spot. The way we’ve been able to come together at the end of the year is really awesome. I’m really proud of everybody on this team, and love these guys.”

It’s not a coincidence McGroarty’s return to form after his serious injury has played a major role in Michigan’s march to the promised land.

“Just a leader,” is how his coach, Brandon Naurato, described him Wednesday. “One of those guys that bring energy to every room he walks into. Always positive, smiling, making you smile. And obviously a great player on the ice. Rutger and that sophomore class, all these guys, are just a really good example of good people and what Michigan is all about.”

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

X: @mikemcintyrewpg

Mike McIntyre
Reporter

Mike McIntyre is a sports reporter whose primary role is covering the Winnipeg Jets. After graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College in 1995, he spent two years gaining experience at the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in 1997, where he served on the crime and justice beat until 2016. Read more about Mike.

Every piece of reporting Mike produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.