Forward Rutger McGroarty becomes second Michigan Wolverine selected in first round of 2022 NHL draft

Michigan’s hockey program is having one other banner first spherical on the NHL draft.

Incoming freshman winger Rutger McGroarty grew to become the second Wolverine chosen in Thursday’s first spherical, going to the Winnipeg Jets at No. 14 general. Heart Frank Nazar, McGroarty’s teammate with the U.S. Nationwide Improvement Staff Program final season, was drafted one choose earlier by the Chicago Blackhawks.

Michigan has produced 15 first-round picks since 2014, together with seven up to now two drafts. McGroarty’s offensive manufacturing elevated final season in his second yr with the NTDP. The 6-foot-1, 204-pounder was the captain and led the workforce with 35 targets and completed fourth with 69 factors in 54 video games.

“I believe there are numerous groups that just like the character and the work ethic and all the pieces else, however the skating nonetheless wants to return alongside,” Chris Peters, NHL prospects analyst at FloHockey, instructed MLive on Tuesday. “He’s a goal-scorer. He’s acquired contact across the internet and he’s acquired numerous the instruments that you simply’re in search of. It’s simply if his foot velocity can enhance. It’s not so unhealthy. Among the many guys that might get drafted within the first spherical, it’s definitely not the worst of these guys, however it’s most likely a step behind a few of the top-tier guys.”

McGroarty and the remainder of Michigan’s freshmen class will possible be relied on closely in 2022-23 after the Wolverines misplaced 10 gamers to the skilled ranks from final yr’s workforce that reached the Frozen 4.

“Rutger can impression a sport in a number of methods,” Michigan assistant Brandon Naurato mentioned in a launch after the category was introduced in February. “He’s a talented energy ahead who can play the bodily sport on the partitions and rating from anyplace on the ice. His excessive hockey IQ additionally permits him to play a fast-paced sport on entries and exits on account of his elite imaginative and prescient and playmaking.”