As the trade was unfolding, forward Rutger McGroarty was ecstatic to learn he was going from the Winnipeg Jets to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
After being selected by Winnipeg with the 14th-overall selection in the 2022 NHL Draft, McGroarty informed Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff that he didn’t intend on signing with the club. So, Winnipeg looked to move the American, completing the deal with the Penguins on Aug. 22 in exchange for 2023 first-rounder Brayden Yager.
On Wednesday in Pittsburgh, McGroarty met with reporters for the first time since the trade and discussed the situation that led to him choosing not to sign with the Jets.
“I talked to them, and I just wanted to be upfront and honest with them and tell them I wasn’t going to be signing with them,” McGroarty said. “I got nothing but respect for those guys. They handled it with a lot of class, and I wish them nothing but the best, but I’m fired up to get started here now.”
McGroarty has spent the last two seasons playing at the University of Michigan, where he has recorded 91 points (34 goals, 57 assists) over 75 games. The Lincoln, Neb., native also captained the United States to a gold medal at the 2024 World Junior Championships, scoring five goals and nine points in seven games.
Just hours after the deal landed him with the Penguins, McGroarty signed a three-year entry-level contract with his new team. The left-shot forward had previously announced his intention to return to school for the 2024-25 season, but will now join the professional ranks.
“I feel like everything’s right (in Pittsburgh). The development path, the veteran guys that they have here, the organization and the talent as well,” McGroarty said of his decision to sign with the Penguins. “It’s such a sports town. Even the couple days that I’ve been here, I went to a Pirates game on Monday, it’s been awesome. The sports-town atmosphere is unbelievable.
“And then, just talking to Kyle (Dubas) and Jason (Spezza), I feel like they’re two incredible hockey minds with a great development path for me. … I love the University of Michigan, and it was very tough leaving there, but also, it’s awesome being here.”
As far as what his role will look like with the Penguins, McGroarty said the team has offered him a spot in the rookie tournament, but hasn’t given him any indication if he will have a shot at cracking the lineup once the season begins.
“I feel like I’m going to get what I deserve, and I’m going to come ready to work for camp,” he said. “I like where my game’s at right now. I’m just excited to get to camp and hopefully leave a good impression.”
After missing the post-season by just three points last year, the Penguins will surely be pushing hard to give the likes of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang another shot at going on a run in the playoffs.
McGroarty called Crosby “the best player in the world,” adding that playing next to Pittsburgh’s captain is something that has “definitely” crossed his mind, but it’s the winning environment and winning expectations that he’s looking forward to playing under the most.
“I love winning. I love being part of an atmosphere like that,” he said. “Obviously, I’ve played on a lot of winning teams in my career. Not to this extent in the NHL with guys like that, but I love being a part of that atmosphere. I love the grind every single day. I love winning, so that makes me really excited, and hopefully, I can be a part of that.”