The young forward is seen as potential captain material, breaking new ground with his choice of jersey number.

Rutger McGroarty, the Penguins’ newest addition, met with the media this week, capping off what has been an exciting period for the budding star. Already in town and participating in informal player skates at the Penguins’ practice facility, McGroarty is poised to begin his professional career in just a few weeks.

McGroarty’s energy and enthusiasm are palpable, making it easy to see why he’s already established himself as a leader early in his career.

“I love it,” McGroarty shared. “I thrive in an atmosphere like this. I’ve played on a lot of winning teams throughout my career. While it’s obviously a new level in the NHL with guys of this caliber, I love being part of that environment.

“I love coming in. I love the grind every single day. I love winning, so that really excites me. Hopefully, I can contribute to that.”

He added, “Hopefully, I can drag the other guys across the line with me and help them improve. I’m also very vocal and full of energy. I’m always buzzing around, so hopefully, that energy is contagious and something my teammates can feed off of.”

This kind of attitude is music to any coach’s ears. While it’s often the best player on the team who becomes the captain, it’s not far-fetched to imagine McGroarty wearing a letter on his chest someday—whether it be as an alternate captain or even as the captain himself.

While a leadership role might be in his future, McGroarty will also stand out for his choice of jersey number.

Historically, No. 2 has been worn exclusively by defensemen for the Penguins, with a lineage that includes Leo Boivin, Duanne Rupp, Hal Gill, and Matt Niskanen, among others. McGroarty is set to make history as the first forward in the franchise to wear the number, though the timing of his NHL debut remains uncertain.

McGroarty has proven his versatility, confirming that he can play either left or right wing. During the 2023-24 season at Michigan, he mostly played on the left wing, but that was largely due to the team’s roster, which featured right-handed shots Frank Nazar and Gavin Brindley on the top line. When the left-handed Dylan Duke moved to the top line, McGroarty shifted to the right wing.

Given the current makeup of Pittsburgh’s roster, it seems likely that McGroarty will start on the left wing, but don’t be surprised if he eventually rotates and becomes a right winger if the team ends up with an excess of left-handed shots.

Where McGroarty’s journey begins is still up in the air. He mentioned that the only certainty so far is his participation in Pittsburgh’s rookie tournament next month in Buffalo. Beyond that, nothing is guaranteed.

Of course, it’s understandable that no promises are being made at this stage. If McGroarty isn’t one of the team’s top forwards during training camp, it wouldn’t benefit either the organization or the 20-year-old to push him into the NHL prematurely. However, given his talent and potential, it’s likely that the team will want to keep him engaged and fast-track his development, making an NHL debut in the 2024-25 season a strong possibility.

“I feel like I’m going to get what I deserve, and I’m coming ready to work hard at camp,” McGroarty said. “I like where my game is at right now, but I’m just excited to get to camp and hopefully leave a lasting impression.