Penguins prospect Rutger McGroarty is opening up about his experience practicing alongside future Hall of Famer Sidney Crosby after being re-called to Pittsburgh.
The Penguins made a key roster move this week, re-calling prospect forward Rutger McGroarty from the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
When he arrived at PPG Paints Arena for practice, his locker in the dressing room was right next to captain Sidney Crosby. Not only this, but he skated alongside him during the practice session.
Crosby himself later spoke about skating alongside McGroarty and said that there isn't anything special that the young forward needs to do other than trust his own instincts that led him to the NHL in the 1st place.
I think we'll try to talk through things and that sort of thing but I don't think he needs to overthink it. Just trust your game and that sort of thing, but definitely if there are plays or little thing that can help us, we'll try to talk about it. I think it's better if you just go out there and rely on your instincts and just go from there.
McGroarty was taken 14th overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft after a collegiate career with the University of Michigan Wolverines of the NCAA. However, it wouldn't be long before he was acquired by the Penguins in a trade for Brayden Yager; Pittsburgh then locked him up to a 3-year entry level contract.
He has 39 points (14G, 25A) in 60 games in the AHL this year; he also skated in 3 games with the Penguins but didn't register any points.