ST. PAUL, Minn. — Rutger McGroarty won’t make a decision on his NHL future today. He first focuses on trying to win an NCAA championship.
Ideally, the 20-year-old forward won’t decide whether to sign an entry-level contract with the Winnipeg Jets or return to the University of Michigan for his junior year until after the NCAA Division I men’s championship game , SATURDAY. , a game he hopes the Wolverines play.
“I hope, selfishly for this team, that we can delay the decision as long as possible,” McGroarty said after the team’s practice at the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday. Michigan faces Boston College in the second national semifinal at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday. Boston University takes on the University of Denver at 5 p.m. ET.
The Jets selected McGroarty in the first round (14th) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He participated in his first development camp with Winnipeg last July after collecting 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games in his first year at Michigan.
This season, McGroarty is second at Michigan with 52 points (16 goals, 36 assists) in 35 games and ranks seventh among all NCAA Division I players in points per game (1.49), impressive numbers considering he missed nearly four weeks after breaking several ribs. and punctured his lung on November 17.
Following his return, McGroarty was the captain of the United States when they won the gold medal at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in January, finishing the tournament with nine points (five goals, four assists) in seven games .
“I learned more from this injury than I could have ever imagined,” McGroarty said. “I want to just see other people in the hospital, not take anything for granted and just be able to play hockey every day. I mean, hockey is a sport that we all love. So that’s the No. 1 thing that stands out to me.
“And then on the ice, I was much more consistent this year. In the NHL, we play 82 games, so you have to be consistent every night. And then continue to grow as a hockey player. I mean, nothing’s really changed. I feel like I’m the same player. I know what kind of player I am and I’m just more mature, more consistent, more intelligent. I feel like everything has gotten a little better.
Winnipeg officials have expressed interest in having McGroarty (6-foot, 200 pounds) on their roster next season, with ongoing discussions and check-ins with him once or twice a week since he was drafted.
McGroarty said that while he can sense the Jets’ enthusiasm, they haven’t pressured him into making a decision as he aims to help Michigan win its first championship since 1998.
“As the second half (of the season) picks up, I’ve gotten a few more texts, but they’ve been very respectful with the playoff push that we’re making,” McGroarty said. “They had a discussion with my agent but nothing crazy. We haven’t had a serious discussion yet. But yes, they were very respectful and it was great.
For now, McGroarty is focused on the Frozen Four and bringing a title to Michigan – before eventually heading to the NHL.
“We’ll see,” he said with a smile.
