Canada Sport News

McGroarty signs entry-level contract with Penguins for three years following trade

August 22, 2024

Hours after acquiring Rutger McGroarty from the Winnipeg Jets, the Pittsburgh Penguins signed him to a three-year, entry-level contract.

The 20-year-old forward was the Jets’ 14th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. He expressed reservations about his future with Winnipeg earlier this off-season, which lead general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to explore trade options.

McGroarty spent the past two seasons playing NCAA hockey at the University of Michigan. Over 75 total games, he recorded 34 goals and 57 assists for 91 points.

The Nebraska native also helped guide Team USA to a world junior championship title in 2024, scoring five goals and nine points through seven games at the tournament.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have signed forward prospect, Liam McGroarty, to a three-year entry-level contract following his recent trade to the team. The 20-year-old McGroarty was acquired by the Penguins in a trade with the New York Rangers earlier this month.

McGroarty, a native of New Jersey, was originally drafted by the Rangers in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. He spent the past two seasons playing for the University of Vermont in the NCAA, where he recorded 22 points in 54 games.

The Penguins were impressed with McGroarty’s performance at the collegiate level and saw potential in his development as a player. The three-year entry-level contract will give him the opportunity to further hone his skills and compete for a spot on the Penguins’ roster in the future.

McGroarty is known for his speed, skill, and hockey IQ, making him a promising prospect for the Penguins. He is expected to join the team’s AHL affiliate, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, for the upcoming season to continue his development and gain professional experience.

With his signing, McGroarty becomes another young talent in the Penguins’ prospect pool, joining the likes of top prospects such as Samuel Poulin and Nathan Legare. The Penguins are hopeful that McGroarty will continue to progress and eventually make an impact at the NHL level.

Overall, the signing of Liam McGroarty is a positive development for the Pittsburgh Penguins as they continue to build for the future and strengthen their prospect pipeline. Fans can look forward to seeing McGroarty’s growth and potential contributions to the team in the coming years.