Last night on the HNIC Saturday Headlines feature Elliotte Friedman was asked for an update on a number of NCAA prospects now that the Frozen Four has concluded which includes the Jets 2022 1st rounder Rutger McGroarty whose season with Michigan ended when his club was eliminated by Boston College in the semi-final.
“Winnipeg Jets. Great 48 hours. They beat Colorado and Dallas by a combined 10-0. Rutger McGroarty their number one pick from 2022 is weighing both options, going back to college and becoming pro. I don’t want to handicap it but he is weighing both options.”
Photo Credit: Colby Spence (Illegal Curve)
If you want a comprehensive read on the Jets prospect Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press had an extensive piece on him which included this from his mom Cindy:
“Winnipeg knows when opportunity is there, Rutger knows when he’s prepared. He won’t put himself in a bad situation, and it’s not like he’s in a horrible situation for development. So, if someone says, ‘No, you have room to grow before you’re ready,’ that’s OK, too. He’s prepared for just about anything.”
Be sure to give Mike’s article a read here.
Of course does he turn pro and join the Manitoba Moose for their Calder Cup playoff run or will he get a chance to observe things with the big club in the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs? Or does he return to Michigan with a chance to wear the ‘C’ for that storied program for the 2024-25 season?
Lots of question marks remain and we will wait to see what the 2022 1st rounder decides is his next best step forward in his development.
