OKLAHOMA CITY–The Oklahoma Warriors have signed forward Max Rutkowski to a tender agreement for the 2024-25 season.
Rutkowski, an 18-year-old from the Pittsburgh suburb of Export, Pa. plays at the AAA level for the Esmark Stars 18U team and at the varsity level on Franklin Regional High School. He serves as captain of both teams and is currently averaging over a point per game on both.
“With Esmark, we preach family,” Rutkowski said. “So hearing coach Roth talk about how everyone on the team works in unison … I think that is a really big part of playing for a high-level team, being able to count on each other. That is a big part of my game.”
Rutkowski, who stands at 5’9″, looks to fit into the Warriors’ style a high-energy and physical player, which bodes well for South division competition.
“I am not too big of a player, but I play big,” Rutkowski said. “I like to hit, be physical, and be tenacious. I have a good shot, but I can see the ice well and like to pass the puck a lot.”
Scouts Wade Chiodo and Anthony Chighisola both had their eyes on Rutkowski leading up to November, when NAHL teams are allowed to officially tender players.
“We got a chance to see him play quite a bit this fall, and we really liked his game,” Chiodo, Warriors’ Team President and Director of Player Personnel, said. “He plays fast, he can shoot, he is hard on pucks, and he fits what we look for in players. He is a hard worker, and most importantly, he is a great kid.”
While Rutkowski’s schedule is busy with hockey and academics, the high school senior makes sure to give back to his community outside the rink, too. He founded and runs his own landscaping business in the Pittsburgh area and donates a portion of revenue to local charities.
Rutkowski is the first player to sign with Oklahoma’s 2024-25 tender class. A tender agreement is a contract which gives a team the rights to a player for the upcoming season. Each team is allotted a finite number of tender slots, and they can be traded between teams. If Rutkowski elects to join the NAHL, he would report to the Warriors.
