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Penguins prospect Rutger McGroarty discusses huge offseason improvements finally paying off in the AHL
Pittsburgh Penguins top prospect forward Rutger McGroarty recently discussed how playing in the American Hockey League has paid off for him.
Pittsburgh Penguins top prospect forward Rutger McGroarty, who made his NHL debut with the team last year, was sidelined with a foot injury that cost him the next several months.
But after a summer of rehab, he was able to recently make his season debut with the AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
McGroarty said that he's happy to be healthy again and that being in the locker room with his teammates.
Just being in the locker room again, being on the ice, being on the bench, it's been great. Pretty much all I know is hockey. You never take it for granted, but once you get back, you're just that much more grateful to be back and be in a locker room again, just being able to play hockey and play the game you love.
He also talked about his summer of rehab work that enabled him to be back in this position.
This summer was huge. Overall, I truly think I had only two off days all summer. I work out Monday through Friday and I think there (were) only two days - Monday through Friday - for 20 weeks that I had off. I had a really good summer. I was really excited coming in. I really liked how I felt.
Rutger McGroarty Made His NHL Debut With The Penguins Last Year
McGroarty was taken by the Winnipeg Jets with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, but he never played a game in a Jets sweater.
Unable to come to a contract agreement with the Jets, he would he traded to the Penguins in 2024 for Brayden Yager.
Last year with the AHL affiliate Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, McGroarty had 39 points (14G, 25A) in 60 games.
| POLL | ||
NOVEMBRE 23 | 77 ANSWERS Penguins prospect Rutger McGroarty discusses huge offseason improvements finally paying off in the AHL Will Rutger McGroarty see regular action with the Penguins this year? | ||
| Yes | 60 | 77.9 % |
| No | 17 | 22.1 % |
| List of polls | ||