Rutger McGroarty named a Calder Trophy favorite by NHL.com
NHL.com has named Rutger McGroarty a Calder Trophy favorite for the 2024-25 season.
As the best month of the year kicks off, hockey returns, and for the Pittsburgh Penguins, there's already exciting news — Rutger McGroarty has made a notable list.
NHL.com has listed Rutger McGroarty as a Calder Trophy favorite for the 2024-25 season, placing him alongside notable names like Macklin Celebrini of the Sharks, Cutter Gauthier of the Ducks, and Philadelphia's newcomer Matvei Michkov. That's impressive company to be in.
Shawn P. Roarke, the Senior Director of Editorial at NHL.com, shared his thoughts on the selection of McGroarty:
The 20-year-old has had success anywhere he has gone. That shouldn’t stop with his arrival in Pittsburgh.
Expectations for McGroarty are undeniably high and will likely continue to rise as the season approaches.
Playing alongside Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin can elevate anyone's profile, but McGroarty had already established his reputation well before being traded to Pittsburgh.
McGroarty's career before Pittsburgh shows promise
He first gained notable attention while playing for the U.S. National Team Development Program, where his offensive skillset was on full display for the world to see.
Over two seasons, McGroarty racked up a remarkable 110 points, including 55 goals and 55 assists, across 107 games. This performance solidified his reputation as a top prospect heading into the NHL.
McGroarty further demonstrated his capabilities on a global scale as he captained Team USA at the 2022 U18 World Championship, leading his team to a silver medal with nine points in just six games.
His leadership and skill were again clear at the 2024 World Junior Championship, where he captained the team to a gold medal, contributing five goals and four assists in seven games.
You can start to understand why his name is being mentioned as a Calder Trophy favorite at this point.
McGroarty's success continued at the University of Michigan, where he was a standout player in his freshman year. He maintained a point-per-game pace, with 39 points in 39 games, helping the Wolverines reach the NCAA Frozen Four in 2024.
Speaking with the media back in April, he noted the importance of being consistent, saying:
I've been a lot more consistent this year. In the NHL, you play 82 games, so you've got to be consistent every night.
McGroarty will soon have the opportunity to showcase his full skill set and leadership qualities when he heads to Buffalo for the Prospect Challenge.
It's there, along with training camp, that he will have the chance to earn his spot on the Penguins’ roster and finally achieve his long-sought goal of reaching the NHL.