RUTGER McGROARTY

Center
6’0/205
Left
U.S. National U18 Team-USDP/USNTDP Juniors-USHL

Related: Danila Yurov

McGroarty debuted with the USNTDP in 2020-21 and starred for the U17 team, totaling 17 goals and 18 assists for 35 points in 34 games. His play earned him a call up to the U18 team where he tallied 6 points in 19 games, setting the stage for him to represent the USA at the U18 World Championships last spring. McGroarty will return to the USNTDP team in 2021-22 and appears poised to take on a more prominent role in his draft year.

Size/Strength Great
Skating Great
Shot/Scoring Great
Puckhandling Great
Physical Play Good
Offensive Play Great
Defensive Play Good
Hockey Sense Good
Competitiveness Great

Strengths

1. McGroarty shines in the offensive zone, displaying elite goal-scoring and playmaking ability.
2. Well-rounded center with slick hands, great puck skills, and a heavy shot.
3. Has good size and competes hard.

Areas of Improvement

1. Tries to do too much on his own at times, which can lead to turnovers.
2. Could take a few years to reach his potential.

Scouting Report:

McGroarty is one of the most complete prospects in the 2022 draft class. He has good size, skates well compete hard, and has plenty of offensive skill. He is a strong and powerful player and is able to take the puck to the net and finish in tight, with his soft hands. His shot is heavy and comes off of his stick quickly, making him a scoring threat on the inside as well as from the perimeter. Rutger is a powerful skater who forces his way around defenders and keeps his feet moving to effectively hunt pucks on the forecheck. He is more than willing to engage physically and finishes his checks with authority. A handful along the boards, he has the strength, puck skills, and quick first step to come away with contested pucks and make plays off the wall. McGroarty is strong on the puck and difficult to knock off of his feet. He positions himself well in front of the opposing net and boxes out defenders to capitalize on rebounds or loose pucks. Known more for his shot, he also has decent vision and knows how to deceive defenders to open up passing lanes, but is sometimes guilty of trying to do too much on his own. McGroarty is comparable to Sean Couturier, an elite, two-way center, who is also a capable scorer and playmaker. Couturier took several years to develop into the elite player he was, so you can expect the same for McGroarty. There are players with better raw tools in the 2022 draft but McGroarty’s well-rounded game and offensive upside have him on an early trajectory towards being a top-10 pick.

Skill: Well-Rounded Center with elite goal-scoring and playmaking ability.

NHL Comparison: Sean Couturier

NHL Potential: Top 6 Center

Season	Team	League	GP	G	PTS
2019-20	Oakland Jr. Grizzlies 15U AAA	15U AAA	63	82	160
2020-21	U.S National U17 Team	USDP	34	17	35
	USNTDP Juniors	USHL	30	12	19
2021-22	U.S National U18 Team	USDP	5	3	7