Four TPH Academy Alumni Earn Captainship of 2024 U.S. National Junior Team

TPH Academy is proud to announce that four TPH Academy alumni have earned the captainship and alternate captainships of the 2024 U.S. National Junior Team. The team will be competing in the highly anticipated 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship from December 26 to January 5.

Rutger McGroarty

Leading the charge as captain is TPH Academy Detroit alumnus and forward Rutger McGroarty, representing the University of Michigan. McGroarty was drafted by the Winnipeg Jets with the 14th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. McGroarty’s exceptional skills and leadership qualities have earned him the prestigious role of guiding the team to success.

Referencing an interview from 2021, McGroarty credits his time at TPH as having a “big impact on my hockey game.” Rutger continues, “Skating every day with a bunch of high-end hockey players who all want to be successful in the game – it’s hard not to get better when you’re competing with and against a bunch of kids like that.”

Cutter Gauthier

Joining McGroarty in their respective roles as alternate captains are TPH Academy Detroit alumni Cutter Gauthier (Boston College), Lane Hutson (Boston University), as well as TPH Estero alumnus Gavin Brindley (University of Michigan.) In the 2022 NHL Draft, Cutter Gauthier was selected 5th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers and Lane Hutson was taken with the 62nd overall pick by the Montreal Canadiens. Brindley was selected 34th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL draft.

Gavin Brindley

In a 2021 article highlighting Brindley’s breakout year, the forward shared how TPH Academy prepared him for athletic advancement.

“Being surrounded by like-minded student-athletes with the same drive that I have has really made my experience at the [Academy] superior…,” shared Brindley. “The support I’ve received from teachers and the flexibility to pursue hockey has helped me develop into the person I am today, and I think it has really prepared me to attend the University of Michigan next year.”

TPH Academy extends its warmest congratulations to Rutger McGroarty, Cutter Gauthier, Gavin Brindley, and Lane Hutson on this incredible achievement. Their selection as captains and alternate captains of the 2024 U.S. National Junior Team is a testament to their dedication, skill, and leadership. 

Lane Hutson

Alan Keeso, TPH Academy CEO, expressed his excitement for the stand-out athletes, stating, “We are so proud of and excited for Rutger, Cutter, Gavin, and Lane for their well-deserved appointments as captains and alternate captains. They are not only exceptional players, but also stand-out leaders and young men. We wish them the very best as they lead the U.S. National Junior Team to success.”

The 2024 IIHF World Junior Hockey Championship, taking place from December 26th to January 5th, promises to be an incredible showcase of talent from around the world. As these accomplished TPH Academy alumni take on their leadership roles representing the U.S. National Junior Team, they exemplify the values of determination, teamwork, and excellence that are nurtured at TPH Academy.

TPH Academy is an academy-style, focused environment where dedicated student-athletes study, train, and play to new-found levels of potential. TPH Academy’s core purpose is to lead the world in the holistic development of student-athletes, advancing – in and beyond the game – the next generation of impact players. For more information about TPH Academy, please visit tphacademy.com and check out the 2022-2023 TPH Academy Impact Report.