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Winnipeg Jets fans taunt former top prospect Rutger McGroarty after he gets sent to the AHL

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Tyler Ball
October 20, 2024  (7:01 PM)
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Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Rutger McGroarty defending the puck against New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider during an NHL game.
Photo credit: Steven Ellis - The Hockey Writers

Last night the Pittsburgh Penguins traveled to Winnipeg and the Jets fans took the opportunity to taunt and troll their former prospect Rutger McGroarty.

Rutger McGroarty was expected to be a bright young star for the Winnipeg Jets within the next few seasons. Instead this past offseason the young forward refused to sign with the Jets after spending several seasons at the University of Michigan and instead requested a trade. The request supposedly came after the Jets would not guarantee McGroarty a spot on their NHL roster.

This led to a major trade sending away McGroarty. He was sent to the Pittsburgh Penguins in a one-for-one swap with Pittsburgh Penguins prospect Brayden Yager.

After the trade, Rutger McGroarty was immediately signed by the Pittsburgh Penguins which many assumed would mean he was going to be in the NHL. Throughout all of training camp, McGroarty stayed with the Pittsburgh Penguins and did earn a place on the opening night roster. However, after just 3 NHL games and no points, Rutger McGroarty was sent to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL.

Just a few days later the Pittsburgh Penguins traveled out to Winnipeg to play against the Jets. It was made clear throughout the game that the Winnipeg fans did not forget what their former prospect did. At one point the fans began chanting "Where is Rutger".

Since being returned to the AHL Rutger McGroarty has played 2 games and tallied 0 points continuing his difficult start to his NHL career. Despite these struggles Rutger McGroarty still possesses a lot of promise for the future of his NHL career. Last season at the University of Michigan Rutger McGroarty was one of the best players in the NCAA with 52 points in 36 games showing he was ready for professional hockey. Now it is time for him to figure out how to take that next step.

This situation was one of the more strange moments in the NHL where home fans are taunting a player who is not even playing for the opposing team. But with how Rutger McGroarty did the Winnipeg Jets dirty just to be willing to go to the AHL with the Pittsburgh Penguins it makes sense why they were upset. It will be interesting to see what kind of reception he gets once he inevitably makes his return to Winnipeg with the Penguins.

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Winnipeg Jets fans taunt former top prospect Rutger McGroarty after he gets sent to the AHL

Would you taunt a prospect like Rutger McGroarty if he requested a trade from your favorite team?

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