Rutger McGroarty is awaiting medical clearance to suit up in the 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship.
One of the Winnipeg Jets' top prospects, Rutger McGroarty, spoke publicly for the first time since suffering what appeared to be a serious injury while playing for his NCAA club earlier this past month.
Taking part in the United States' selection camp for his country's national team, the University of Michigan Wolverines standout star has cracked the squad, and is hopeful to participate in the annual event in Gothenburg, Sweden from December 26 to January 5.
"I'm feeling good," the Jets' 2022 14th overall pick said. "I'm getting better and better each day. I'm very optimistic. Im feeling really good right now. I just need to get the cardio back. Get the rust off. I made a couple bad plays out there today but I'm feeling good, really good."
Carted off the ice in a stretcher just a month ago in Michigan's game vs. Penn State, McGroarty's future - not only as a college hockey player, but so much more - was put into question. To be skating for his country just a handful of weeks later has all of the United States and Jets nation thrilled.
"It's everything," McGroarty said when asked what it means to don the red, white and blue.
"Especially this tournament. With the 2004's, it's our last chance to win that gold together. It means everything. the people that have come before us. I think there is a stat now, USA, there is the most hockey players in USA than any other country. So just continuing to grow the game, doing what we can do, hopefully we go get a gold."
Although not revealing the exact nature of his injury, McGroarty did allude to fact that he was in hospital for roughly a week-and-a-half to two weeks.
“At this point, it’s just not up to me,” McGroarty said. “And obviously I can do all the things — take my vitamins, eat healthy, get good sleep, let my body recover. But I feel like whatever happens, happens, so I’m not really thinking about it too much.”
Still wearing a red non-contact sweater in his team practices, McGroarty has been penciled in on the United States' top line. He will need medical clearance from team doctors before being able to appear in a game. A full contact practice or two would be a nice touch.
Prior to skating with the national junior team, McGroarty participated in two on-ice workouts with the United States National Team Development Program.
