REPORT: Former Jets star sends heartfelt message on latest Winnipeg snub

Rutger McGroarty showed little interest on Wednesday in explaining why he chose not to sign with the Winnipeg Jets, the team that selected him in the first round of the NHL Draft a few years ago.

In his first public comments since being traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins last week for fellow first-round pick Brayden Yager, McGroarty offered few details about the circumstances that led the 2022 14th overall pick to Pittsburgh.

 

 

“I wanted to be upfront and honest with them, and I just told them that I wasn’t going to be signing with them,” McGroarty said to reporters. “I’ve got nothing but respect for those guys. They handled it with a lot of class, and I wish them nothing but the best, but I’m fired up to get started here now.”

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, speaking after the trade, could only provide some insight into a meeting at the NHL Combine in June with McGroarty’s representatives, where it became clear that McGroarty didn’t feel comfortable signing with Winnipeg.

McGroarty emphasized several times the developmental opportunities he saw with the Penguins.

Back in June, a source familiar with the situation suggested that McGroarty’s decision was driven by concerns over Winnipeg’s developmental path.

“It’s not a Winnipeg (as a city) issue,” they said. “It’s a development issue and a relationship issue.”

McGroarty said that the only thing promised to him by the Penguins is a spot in the team’s upcoming rookie tournament.

“I feel like I’m going to get what I deserve and I’m going to come ready to work for camp,” he stated. “I like where my game is at right now. I’m excited to get to camp and hopefully leave a good impression on them.”

Regarding the Penguins organization, McGroarty expressed confidence in their setup.

“The development path, the veteran guys they have here, the organization that they have here,” he said. “It’s such a sports town. Even the couple days that I’ve been here, I went to a Pirates game on Monday, it’s been awesome. The sports-town atmosphere is unbelievable.”

Shortly after the trade, McGroarty decided against returning to the University of Michigan for the 2024-25 season and instead signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Penguins.

“Just talking to (general manager) Kyle (Dubas) and Jason (Spezza), I feel like they’re two incredible hockey minds with a great development path for me. … I love the University of Michigan, and it was very tough leaving there, but also, it’s awesome being here,” McGroarty said.

If McGroarty makes the NHL roster out of training camp, he could find himself in Winnipeg on October 20, when the Penguins make their annual visit to the Canada Life Centre.