Instead of following University of Michigan teammates like Gavin Brindley, Frank Nazar and Dylan Duke to the NHL, top Winnipeg Jets prospect Rutger McGroarty has announced he’ll return to Michigan for the 2024-25 NCAA season.
McGroarty, taken 14th by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Draft, finished his season with a semifinal loss to Boston College on April 11 at the Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn. His advisers had met with Michigan as well as the Jets in the days since that time, discussing plans for next season, with the 20-year-old power forward ultimately choosing to go back to Michigan.
Rutger McGroarty announces he will return to the University of Michigan for the 2024-25 season!#GoBlue〽️ pic.twitter.com/4SU9jG4e3b
— Michigan Hockey (@umichhockey) April 15, 2024
It’s a decision that will leave some Jets fans concerned, given the number of Wolverines stars who have already signed in the NHL. Jets fans will also remember former Winnipeg prospect Nathan Smith; the Jets’ third-round pick in 2018 was traded to Arizona in 2022 after it became clear that he didn’t want to sign in Winnipeg.
A league source tells The Athletic that this is not the expectation for McGroarty: McGroarty’s decision was made with his NHL development and an eventual Jets roster spot in mind.
The opportunity to increase his role as a third-year player in Michigan is clear; with fellow stars like Brindley, Duke and Nazar signing in the NHL, McGroarty will be counted on to drive results. There’s also the potential of being named captain as Jacob Truscott just completed his fourth year.
Meanwhile, Winnipeg is a deep team, particularly up front and on the wings. Sean Monahan and Tyler Toffoli are the only 2024 UFAs on the roster, which already leaves Cole Perfetti, the No. 10 pick in 2020, on the outside looking in. With fellow 2022 first-round pick Brad Lambert and 2021 second-round pick Nikita Chibrikov making big strides with Manitoba in the AHL this season, it’s difficult to look at the Jets roster and see immediate NHL playing time. Whereas Nazar has already played (and scored) in the NHL for Chicago and Brindley will make an immediate debut for Columbus, McGroarty doesn’t have that same runway in Winnipeg.
Consider Colby Barlow, Winnipeg’s 2023 first-round pick, who was assigned to Manitoba in April after his junior season ended. Barlow is being eased into the AHL as the Moose prepare for their playoff run. The Jets organization isn’t handing out minutes at any level.
McGroarty is likely capable of AHL success here and now, although his skating needs work before he steps into the NHL. He’s slated to play an enormous role on Michigan’s 2024-25 team. One could easily imagine him surpassing his 16-goal, 36-assist numbers while continuing to develop his all-around game with a full season of good health.
With that kind of success, it’s easier to imagine McGroarty signing with the Jets at this time next year and making a more immediate impact on his way into the 2025-26 season. He remains Winnipeg’s No. 1 prospect and, given the way he recovered from his rib and lung injuries to captain Team USA to a gold medal before returning to Michigan for the stretch run, he’s a difficult player to bet against in the long run.
Recent Jets draft picks to sign after their third college season include defensemen Dylan Samberg and Tucker Poolman. Expect this situation to follow that same trajectory; McGroarty is all-in on his development and his ultimate goal is a roster spot on the Jets.
(Photo: Richard T Gagnon / Getty Images)
