Independent scouting for NHL, QMJHL, OHL, WHL, USHL and NCAA teams
Scouting Report written by Paul Zuk
Buried almost smack-dab in the middle of the United States, the state of Nebraska has only had 1 player selected in the NHL Entry Draft. That statistic is likely to increase at this summer’s NHL Entry Draft, as center Rutger McGroarty is eligible to be selected. McGroarty hails from the Nebraska state capital, as his father Jim was an assistant coach for the Omaha Lancers of the USHL when Rutger was born. Jim McGroarty hails from Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, and currently serves as the General Manager for the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL.
McGroarty played his minor hockey wherever Jim’s work took him, as he played for several top-quality programs in Michigan from the 13U ranks, all the way up to his time with the NTDP. His 15U season in 2019-20 was an absolute eye-opener for scouts, as he racked up a staggering 82 goals, 78 assists for 160 points in only 63 games. Such a monstrous season at a high level garnered the attention of the NTDP, thus beginning McGroarty’s tenure in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
In his first season suiting up for the NTDP U17’s, McGroarty impressed a lot of people, as he amassed 32 goals, 28 assists for 60 points in 83 total games with both the U17’s and U18’s. He also played for the USA in the IIHF World U-18’s, where he was held pointless in five total games.
This season as a full-time member of the U18’s, McGroarty’s draft-stock has risen very fast, as he’s having an incredible season thus far. As of March 14th, 2022, McGroarty has tallied 27 goals, 34 assists for 61 points in 54 games between Development Team and USHL play.
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