Why Does McGroarty Wear No. 2?

Rutger McGroarty is forward yet proudly wears the No. 2, usually reserved for defensemen. Why does McGroarty wear No. 2?

The Pittsburgh Penguins recently acquired University of Michigan star forward Rutger McGroarty, who was a runner-up for the Hobey Baker Award in 2023-24.

Initially drafted by the Winnipeg Jets at 14th overall in 2022, he came to the Penguins organization in a trade for former top prospect Brayden Yager. 

Upon relocating to Pittsburgh, McGroarty signed his entry-level contract and chose to wear No. 2.

Usually, defensemen wear No. 2, and several are in the Hall of Fame, like Brian Leetch, Eddie Shore, and Doug Harvey. McGroarty has worn this number for several seasons at Michigan and while representing the United States at the World Juniors.

During an interview with teammate Eric Ciccolini, he explained that Mike Dalhuisen, who wore No. 2, was among his first favorite hockey players. 

The defenseman from the Netherlands played with the Lincoln Stars in the USHL from 2007 to 2009 under Rutger's dad, Jim, who coached the club for three seasons until 2010. 

Dalhuisen began his pro hockey career after juniors in 2006-07. Although he never got drafted by an NHL team, he did advance to the AHL and played 12 games over two seasons in 2013 and 2014. 

Since 2015-16, Dalhuisen has been in Europe, playing in various leagues, and at 36, is under contract to play with the Tilburg Trappers in Germany 3 for the 2024-25 season.

Meanwhile, McGroarity will become the first forward to wear No. 2 for the Penguins and will inherit the number from Chad Ruhwedel, who wore it from 2017 to 2024. 

Interestingly, No. 2 has been represented in four of the five Pittsburgh Stanley Cup winning lineups, with Jim Paek wearing it in 1991 and 1992, followed by Hal Gill in 2009, and most recently by Ruhwedel in 2017. 

In 2016, Adam Clendening wore No. 2 but skated only nine regular-season games and did not participate in the playoffs, thus not getting his name engraved on the Stanley Cup.

Overall, 22 players in Penguins history have worn No. 2, with McGroarty set to become the 23rd. It's been a lucky number, as three players have become champions while wearing the sweater.

Even though it is highly unusual for a forward to skate around with No. 2 on their backs, McGroarty's jersey will become a fan favorite in the Penguins team store when they go on sale.