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Super Mario: From Prodigy to Legend

  Graphic: Genevive Oliver There have been great players for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and then there has been Mario Lemieux. From the impossible reach of his stick to his effortless, balletic stride, 'Le Magnifique' wasn't just a force of nature—he was a work of art on ice. His time in Pittsburgh wasn't just about piling up goals and assists; it was an incredible journey of dizzying highs, a battle with a life-threatening illness, and then, a truly triumphant comeback that carved his place as an eternal Penguins legend. His story is one of unrivaled greatness on the ice and a fierce, unwavering loyalty to the city that loved him. The Arrival of Le Magnifique: The Savior of a City The hype around Mario Lemieux started almost before he even got here. In the mid-1980s, the Pittsburgh Penguins were a punchline—a franchise teetering on the brink of irrelevance. Their arena was a ghost town, their roster a collection of misfits. Then, on a fateful day in 1984, the draft lotte...
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Penguins And Jets Swap Top Prospects

 





   On Thursday, August 22nd, the Pittsburgh Penguins and Winnipeg Jets announced a surprising, but excellent trade. The Penguins traded a top prospect, Brayden Yager, to acquire Rutger McGroarty.



   Rutger McGroarty has played two seasons for the University of Michigan from 2022-24, playing 75 games with a total of 91 points (34 goals, 57 assists) ... This past season, McGroarty ranked second on his team with 36 assists and 52 points, his assist and points totals also were both seventh and ninth highest across the entire NCAA.

Prior to his collegiate career from 2020-22, McGroarty played with the United States National Team Development Program. He split his first season of the program between both the Under-17 and Under-18 squads in 2020-21, going on to lead the Under-18 Team in goals (35) as captain from 2021-22.

Rutger recently captained Team USA to the gold medal at the 2024 World Junior Championship, gathering five goals and nine points in seven games. He skated in his first international tournament with Team USA at the 2021 World Under-18 Championship, then went on to win a silver medal as captain at the 2022 World Under-18 Championship, and then a bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championship.

Rutger McGroarty had been originally drafted 14th overall at the 2022 NHL Draft by the Winnipeg Jets.

 




   Brayden Yager has played four seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors, having a total of 250 points in 211 games with 104 goals, 146 assists... and 56 penalty minutes over those four seasons with the Moose Jaw Warriors. In 40 career playoff games, Yager has 50 points (20 goals, 30 assists) and 22 PIMs for the Warriors.

This past season, Yager helped lead the Moose Jaw Warriors to the WHL Championship when he tallied 95 points (35 goals, 60 assists) in 57 games, also adding 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists) in 20 playoff games. 

In four games at the 2024 Memorial Cup, Brayden recorded six points (3 goals, 3 assists) and was named to the tournament all-star team. 

Yager has represented Canada twice, internationally. In five games during the 2024 World Junior Championship, he recorded five points (2 goals, 3 assists) in five games as Canada finished fifth. He had also posted nine points (5 goals, 4 assists) in five games to help Canada win gold at the 2022 Hlinka Gretzky Cup. 

Brayden Yager had been originally drafted 14th overall, first-round at the 2023 NHL Draft by the Pittsburgh Penguins.


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