Rutger McGroarty Says Wearing Penguins Uniform Was ‘Awesome’

The Pittsburgh Penguins are gearing up for the new season and their newest player is ready to get going.

After a rocky run with the Winnipeg Jets, Rutger McGroarty will get to kick off his National Hockey League career after being acquired by Pittsburgh. McGroarty was selected by the Jets with the 14th pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. The deal made between the Penguins and Jets sent the 2022 first-rounder to the Pens for 2023 first-round pick Brayden Yager.

McGroarty had his first chance to wear the Penguins black and gold ahead of the new season at the Prospects Challenge, and he was nothing but excited to take the ice for his new team.

“It was awesome,” McGroarty told Penguins team reporter Michelle Crechiolo. “It was good to just go out there and do what I love, honestly. Like, we all love the game so much. And obviously, throwing on the Penguins jersey, it’s awesome. It was fun.”

McGroarty played 36 games in his sophomore season with the Michigan Wolverines, scoring 16 goals and dishing out 36 assists — totaling 52 points.

After missing the playoffs last season, the addition of the 20-year-old should help provide a spark for the Penguins offense as they look to make it back for the first time since the 2021-22 campaign.

More NHL: Sidney Crosby, Penguins Agree To Two-Year Contract Extension