WILKES-BARRE — Cracking the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster out of coaching camp and making his NHL debut with the membership earlier in October represented desires coming true for Rutger McGroarty.
However after three video games, the Penguins despatched him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League on Oct. 16.
Penguins administration believes McGroarty will be capable of see extra minutes and play a bigger general position with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins than was on the desk in Pittsburgh.
Finally, McGroarty didn’t resent being assigned to the AHL, nor did he contemplate it a demotion however as a substitute, a chance to proceed refining his general sport.
“You hear concerning the NHL your complete life, however you don’t actually know what it’s like till you’re there,” McGroarty mentioned. “For me, reflecting on it, coming down right here, I can positively work on extra issues within the (offensive zone). I really feel like defensively, I used to be good (with the Penguins), however within the (offensive zone), holding onto pucks, taking pucks to the web — you hear concerning the NHL and how briskly it’s, so that you’re making an attempt to get pucks on and off your tape.
“I really feel like there’s positively alternatives for me to carry onto pucks and take pucks to the web or simply create extra on my own.”
McGroarty made his Wilkes-Barre/Scranton debut Oct. 18, showing as proper wing on the membership’s third line.
The next night, he flipped to left wing, additionally on the Penguins’ third line.
As he prepares to swimsuit up for his fifth AHL sport Wednesday, McGroarty has performed the final two on the Penguins’ prime line at left wing.
Coach Kirk MacDonald admitted he tossed McGroarty within the deep finish from the leap.
However MacDonald complimented McGroarty’s skill to hack it in a brand new surroundings.
“He’s been nice,” MacDonald mentioned. “I believe we most likely didn’t put him in the very best place to succeed final week — simply sort of threw him in. You get despatched down, new staff — that’s a troublesome scenario for any child. It’s a fantastic studying expertise, too, to face that little little bit of adversity. You’re up (within the NHL), all these items’s happening, you’re down — it’s a whirlwind first time going by means of all that. However he’s tailored very well.”
From a purely statistical standpoint, the numbers would recommend McGroarty, who has zero factors by means of 4 video games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, has gotten off to a gradual begin.
However MacDonald mentioned what he’s seen tells a unique story.
Particularly, throughout a loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Oct. 25, MacDonald rated McGroarty as his membership’s finest ahead on the evening.
“To me, the stat sheet is actually not indicative of what he’s doing proper now,” MacDonald mentioned. “… As soon as one goes in for him, I believe so much are going to go in. To me, the stats are nearly like, ultimately they’re going to handle themselves. It’s an extended season.”
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McGroarty performed two seasons at Michigan earlier than the Penguins traded for him in August, main into his first NHL coaching camp and eventual debut.
The 20-year-old loved attending to work beneath Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh and, to date, has established a great relationship with MacDonald, who’s in his first yr on the helm in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“Kirk has been superior,” McGroarty mentioned. “He’s a fantastic coach, he loves his guys and I really feel like he’s additionally a really sensible hockey thoughts. I’ve sat down with him (to observe) video and his hockey thoughts is unquestionably unbelievable. It’s actually enjoyable to study one thing from guys like that who’ve been across the sport for a very long time, who have a look at the sport by means of a fantastic hockey lens.”
Enjoying in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has introduced McGroarty into orbit with a number of different of the Penguins’ prime prospects, together with forwards Ville Koivunen and Tristan Broz, in addition to defenseman Owen Pickering.
Forming bonds with them has aided within the transition as McGroarty accumulates extra AHL expertise.
As was his purpose in Pittsburgh, McGroarty goals to easily enhance as knowledgeable hockey participant.
“I’m nonetheless 20 years previous, so that is my first good kick on the can with professional hockey,” McGroarty mentioned. “So simply sort of getting used to the professional sport, getting used to the schedule and benefiting from day by day. That’s the largest factor, caring about my improvement, attacking day by day and simply preserve getting higher and higher.”
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter masking the Penguins, Pirates and school sports activities. A Pittsburgh native, he’s a Central Catholic and College of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after masking the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Put up. He will be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
