MONTREAL — Rutger McGroarty has always been a hockey fan.
In fact, the Winnipeg Jets' latest prospect was just three days old when he took in his first game.
"I was born on a Tuesday and I went to a playoff hockey game on a Friday. I was really born into it," McGroarty said, explaining his dad was coaching the USHL's Omaha Lancers at the time.
"I love hockey and I’ve loved it for a very long time. I wouldn’t have it any other way."
Now McGroarty is taking his love of the game to Winnipeg. The Jets selected the right-winger from Lincoln, Neb., 14th overall in the NHL entry draft Thursday.
The young forward said he's "pumped" to be joining the Jets.
“I met with them a little bit earlier in the year, just kind of getting to know each other," he said. "And then I met with them one time at the combine and we had really good interviews and it was awesome.
"And I gotta be honest, I had no clue. But I was definitely really excited.”
The six-foot-one, 200-pound forward spent last season with the U.S. National Development Program's Under-18 team, registering 69 points (35 goals, 34 assists) in 54 games.
McGroarty, who has committed to spending next year at the University of Michigan, described himself as a "very skilled two-way power forward."
"I feel like I bring my competitiveness, my energy every single day," he said. "I feel like I'm a good leader.
"I feel like I’ve got a good goal scorer’s touch and I make my linemates around me better.”
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said McGroarty is a grounded individual who knows what he needs to work on.
"He’s an energy guy who comes out and is one of those guys that’s going to do anything for an organization to win," he said. "Combine that with skill, character, leadership, those are the things that draw you to him."
Winnipeg also took Finnish forward Brad Lambert with the 30th overall pick.
The six-foot, 183-pound centre from Lahiti had 10 points (four goals, six assists) in the Finnish Elite League last season.
Cheveldayoff said the Jets think Lambert is the best skater in this year's draft.
“Obviously, he’s played over in a European men’s league, which is tough. We’ve seen that with other players as well," he said. "It’s hard for young players to get different types of opportunities to really accentuate their talents over there.
"But the positive is the he’s played with men, so he knows what it’s like to play in a men’s organization and in a men’s league."
The Jets missed the playoffs after going 39-32-11 in the regular season.
Winnipeg is set to make four more selections when the draft continues Friday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2022.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press