WILKES-BARRE — Cracking the Pittsburgh Penguins’ roster out of coaching camp and making his NHL debut with the membership earlier in October represented goals coming true for Rutger McGroarty.
However after three video games, on Oct. 16, the Penguins despatched him to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League.
Penguins administration believes McGroarty will be capable to see extra minutes and play a bigger general function with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins than was on the desk in Pittsburgh.
In the end, McGroarty didn’t resent being assigned to the AHL, nor did he think about it a demotion however as a substitute a possibility to proceed refining his general recreation.
“You hear in regards to the NHL your entire life, however you don’t actually know what it’s like till you’re there,” McGroarty stated. “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 online, you hear in regards to the NHL and how briskly it’s, so that you’re attempting 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 online 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 third line.
As he prepares to go well with up for his fifth AHL recreation Wednesday, McGroarty has performed the final two on the WBS high line at left wing.
Coach Kirk MacDonald admitted he tossed McGroarty within the deep finish from the bounce.
However MacDonald complimented McGroarty’s capability to hack it in a brand new atmosphere.
“He’s been nice,” MacDonald stated. “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 crew, that’s a tricky scenario for any child. It’s an ideal 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 way of all that. However he’s tailored rather well.”
From a purely statistical standpoint, the numbers would counsel McGroarty, who has zero factors by way of 4 video games with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, has gotten off to a sluggish begin.
However MacDonald stated what he’s seen tells a special story.
Specifically, throughout a loss to the Syracuse Crunch on Oct. 25, MacDonald rated McGroarty as his membership’s finest ahead of the night time.
“To me, the stat sheet is basically not indicative of what he’s doing proper now,” MacDonald stated. “… As soon as one goes in for him, I believe lots are going to go in. To me, the stats are nearly like, finally they’re going to deal with 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 underneath Mike Sullivan in Pittsburgh and has established relationship with MacDonald, who’s in his first 12 months on the helm in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
“Kirk has been superior,” McGroarty stated. “He’s an ideal 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 look at) 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 recreation for a very long time, who take a look at the sport by way of an ideal hockey lens.”
Taking part in in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton has introduced McGroarty into orbit with a number of different of the Penguins’ high prospects, together with forwards Ville Koivunen and Tristan Broz and 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 stated. “So simply sort of getting used to the professional recreation, getting used to the schedule and making the most of every single day. That’s the largest factor, caring about my improvement, attacking every single day and simply maintain getting higher and higher.”
Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter protecting 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 protecting the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Submit. He will be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.
