McGroarty on track to become part of future youthful core for Jets

WINNIPEG -- The NHL trajectory of Rutger McGroarty continues to rise, and the Winnipeg Jets hope to see that arc travel even higher with the 19-year-old forward prospect set to begin his second season at the University of Michigan this fall.

The Jets forecast the No. 14 pick in the 2022 NHL Draft being a regular in their lineup perhaps as early as next season, on schedule with several other prospects arriving at the same time to provide an infusion of youth into the Winnipeg lineup.

"Rutger made great strides in his first year in college -- that's exciting," Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said. "The future is growing. There's lots of good pieces. We've got guys like forwards [Brad] Lambert and [Chaz] Lucius and [Nikita] Chibrikov that are turning pro for us (this season). That's exciting."

McGroarty was a point-per-game player as a freshman at Michigan last season with 39 points (18 goals, 21 assists) in 39 games to helping his team reach the NCAA Frozen Four, where it lost to eventual champion Quinnipiac in the national semifinals.

Winnipeg's player development staff say his game got stronger as the season progressed.

"I would say the same exact thing," McGroarty said following Jets development camp last month. "It was my first time living away from home. (With) college, I've done online school since the sixth grade, there were a lot of learning curves this first semester and I feel like it definitely impacted my play on the ice.

"I kind of got my feel back at the (2023 IIHF World Junior Championship, where he had a goal and six assists in seven games for the United States), just hanging out with a lot of close friends. I got my confidence back and then in the second half (of the NCAA season) I feel like I really took off. That line of [Adam] Fantilli, [Gavin] Brindley and I really had a great second half."

Fantilli (No. 3) and Brindley (second round, No. 34) each was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Draft.

Following the World Juniors, McGroarty returned to Michigan to complete his second semester.

"I kind of dialed in a little bit more in classes, settled in and got better grades," he said. "Honestly, it was my first time just really being on my own and I feel like it was awesome for me. Everybody has to grow up someday … I feel like next year I'm really going to hit the ground running and it's going to be a big year for us."

That, combined with McGroarty's experience at development camp, should have a positive impact on his growth on and off the ice.

"It's about them kind of being their own coach and what they can take away from this to be able to work on it on their own," Winnipeg director of player development Jimmy Roy said. "When they get their own environment, whether it's back at school or back in junior, with the (AHL Manitoba) Moose, whatever -- understanding how to develop themselves, because you don't always have a coach there to push you. You have to learn to do it yourself.

McGroarty said: "We got a bunch of ball players. A lot of young talent … I'm really excited. Future is definitely bright here."