McGroarty mum on Jets snub Penguins prospect’s reasons for wanting out of organization remain a mystery By: Ken Wiebe Posted: 5:15 PM CDT Wednesday, Aug. 28, 2024

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This article was published 28/08/2024 (751 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Rutger McGroarty is quick to admit he still needs to work on his skating, but it’s clear he’s already adept at stickhandling on and off the ice.

The former Winnipeg Jets prospect met the Pittsburgh media for the first time since last Thursday’s trade to the Pittsburgh Penguins and while he was quick to display his charm and enthusiasm, McGroarty wasn’t interested in providing any details about why it didn’t work out with the organization that chose him 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

“My agents talked to them and then I talked to them. I wanted to be up front and honest with them and I just told them that I wasn’t going to be signing with them,” McGroarty told reporters in Cranberry, Pa. “I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys. They handled it with a lot of class and I wish them nothing but the best.

“As I said, I’m fired up to get started here now.”

Perhaps so fired up that he failed to answer the question about why he didn’t want to sign with the Jets.

During a zoom call with reporters last Thursday after the deal was completed, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff lamented the lack of a direct answer from McGroarty and his representatives after they let the Jets GM know the player wasn’t interested in signing.

Despite multiple efforts, the best answer Cheveldayoff could get was ‘it didn’t feel right.’

With that as a backdrop, perhaps it’s no surprise McGroarty chose not to shed any additional light on the situation on Wednesday.

Whether or not he chooses to do so in October when the Penguins visit the Jets on the 20th remains to be seen.

McGroarty stood behind a podium and took questions for just over six minutes, raving about Pittsburgh being a great sports town and sharing that he took in a Pirates baseball game earlier this week.

When asked if he’d been given any assurances about that development path, McGroarty offered up a direct response that would surely bring a smile to the face of Penguins GM Kyle Dubas.

“I’ve been promised a spot at the rookie tournament and that’s about it,” said McGroarty, who wished Brayden Yager, the player the Jets got in return for McGroarty all the best with the Jets. “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 is at right now. I’m excited to get to camp and hopefully leave a good impression on them.”

McGroarty captained Team USA to a gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship last January and helped the University of Michigan Wolverines reach the Frozen Four last April.

At the conclusion of his season, McGroarty informed the Jets he planned to return for his junior season with the Wolverines rather than sign an entry-level contract.

Shortly after the trade was completed, McGroarty shifted his path and inked his ELC with the Penguins.

“I feel like everything is right here,” he said. “The development path, the veteran guys they have here, the organization that they have here.”

“I feel like everything is right here. The development path, the veteran guys they have here, the organization that they have here.”–Rutger McGroarty

When the topic of his playing style was broached, McGroarty didn’t shy away from the gains required while accentuating his strengths.

“Speed, for sure, is something I’ve been working on a lot and I know that’s something I have to work on — just like I have to work on every aspect of my game,” he said. “But I feel like I definitely play a power type of game and I feel like I have a very good hockey IQ, so I can put myself into situations I can succeed in.”

Known for his enthusiastic approach, McGroarty gave a glimpse of that energy when he impressed Jets’ fans during development camp in July of 2023.

“I come to the rink every single day, I work extremely hard and do everything with intent and hopefully drag other guys with you and help them get better,” said McGroarty. “I’m also a very vocal guy. I’ve 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.”

What about the potential to skate alongside Penguins captain Sidney Crosby down the road?

“Obviously he’s the best player in the world,” said McGroarty, noting he’s comfortable playing either left wing or right wing. “I’ve grown up watching him play, so it’s definitely crossed my mind. Yeah, that would be very cool if I could one day do that.”

ken.wiebe@freepress.mb.ca

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