McGroarty nets All-American Prospects Game MVP nod
Rutger McGroarty had himself a game, then got him a nod.
McGroarty, who plays for the US National Team Development Program, was named 2022 Biosteel All-American Prospects Game player of the game after netting himself a goal and an assist in a 4-3 overtime win for Team Blue against Team White on Monday.
“McGroarty was able to show flashes of his all-around offensive ability tonight,” FCHockey head US scout Austin Broad said. “You saw the display of skating and strength on his goal, beating Luke Mittelstadt to a loose puck and getting to a position of advantage in the slot to use his lethal shot in a dangerous area to score.”
Rutger McGroarty, ladies and gents. #BAAG #NHLDraft https://t.co/XSg9Q6CLPRpic.twitter.com/lNEpA2ztbF
— FCHockey (@FCHockey) January 17, 2022
McGroarty’s goal, late in the third period, tied the game to force overtime before Damien Carfagna scored the winner in the extra frame.
He also assisted on Jimmy Snuggerud‘s second-period goal.
Snuggerud SNIPE! #BAAG #NHLDraft https://t.co/YI2sy5oMgYpic.twitter.com/zGV1l1fpV8
— FCHockey (@FCHockey) January 17, 2022
“This game was a microcosm of his season so far,” Broad said. “He had some elite moments that reminded you why he could be a top-10 talent in the draft, but went unnoticed for long stretches of the game. He’s an extremely gifted hockey player but if he can’t be an impact player on a consistent basis then his ceiling at the NHL level becomes drastically lower.”
McGroarty, No. 10 in FCHockey’s Winter ranking for the 2022 NHL Draft, has six points (three goals, three assists) in USHL action this season, and 32 points (15 goals, 17 assists) in 26 non-USHL games.