Penguins recall forwards Boko Imama, Rutger McGroarty from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton

The Pittsburgh Penguins recalled forwards Boko Imama and Rutger McGroarty from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL) on Monday.

These transactions were made in advance of a road contest against the rival Philadelphia Flyers on Monday evening.

Imama has spent the entire regular season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. After clearing waivers on Oct. 5, the 29-year-old was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. In 19 AHL games this season, the left-handed Imama has scored four points (three goals, one assist) and accrued a team-leading 32 penalty minutes while largely operating on the left wing of the fourth line.

During the NHL preseason, Imama played in three games and had no points and six shots, along with four penalty minutes.

In early October, when it was apparent Imama would likely be assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, he suggested a simple approach for returning to the NHL.

“Whatever happens, that is not going to kill me,” Imama said on Oct. 2 “I’m just going to keep on working. That has been my whole career anyway.”

Regarded as the toughest player in the organization, Imama (6-foot-1, 223 pounds) is signed to a one-year, two-way contract with a salary cap hit of $775,000.

Last season, Imama established a career-high at the NHL level with 16 games and scored his first career goal during a 6-3 home win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on March 21.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Bokondji Imama with 11:45 remaining in the 2nd period.

Assisted by Danton Heinen and Kevin Hayes.

Pittsburgh: 4
Columbus: 2#CBJvsPIT #LetsGoPens #CBJ pic.twitter.com/GvKSmn24f0

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 22, 2025

Imama is no stranger to bellicose interactions with the Flyers. During a 5-4 home overtime win against the Flyers on Feb. 27, Imama injured Philadelphia forward Garnet Hathaway with a blindside hit that resulted in a minor penalty for interference.

Torts is furious after Boko Imama is assessed a minor for interference on Garnet Hathaway, and Hathaway needed assistance off the ice pic.twitter.com/oXX10jvySl

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) February 28, 2025

“It certainly does help to have someone of Boko’s caliber out there,” forward Bryan Rust said in March. “You feel a little bit more confident in physical situations.”

McGroarty, 21, opened the season on the injured non-roster list due to an undisclosed ailment he suffered during the offseason. Activated from that designation on Nov. 15, McGroarty was assigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton on the same day.

Primarily deployed on the left wing of the top line, McGroarty has been productive, appearing in five AHL contests and scoring seven points (four goals, three assists).

WELCOME BACK RUTGER pic.twitter.com/2d3C3eUsk3

— Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins (@WBSPenguins) November 16, 2025

Considered one of the organization’s top prospects, the left-handed McGroarty made his NHL debut last season, skating in eight games and posting three points (one goal, two assists) while averaging 14:37 of ice time.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Rutger McGroarty with 00:25 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Ville Koivunen and Erik Karlsson.

St. Louis: 4
Pittsburgh: 4#PITvsSTL #stlblues #LetsGoPens pic.twitter.com/GcN0ucon9Q

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) April 4, 2025

A left foot injury brought his 2024-25 season to a halt on April 8. That ailment, combined with the malady he suffered during the offseason, led to him going approximately seven months between games of consequence.

“I’m just grateful to be playing hockey again,” McGroarty said on Nov. 20. “It’s the game that I love and it’s the sport that I love. I enjoy just being able to play hockey.”

McGroarty (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) still qualifies as a rookie at the NHL level. He is in the second year of a three-year entry-level contract with a salary cap hit of $950,000.