By JAMES TUBB on April 11, 2026.

NEWS PHOTO James Tubb
Medicine Hat Tigers forward Markus Ruck chases down younger twin brother Liam after he scored the game tying goal in a 5-4 overtime Game 5 win over the Regina Pats on April 4 at Co-op Place.jtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
Markus Ruck, the CHL’s leading scorer in 2025-26, wasn’t expecting to get a finalists nod for the WHL’s player of the year award.
The 18-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers forward hadn’t considered being nominated for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, nor has he reflected on his seismic sophomore season step.
“It’s been pretty special, but I don’t think about it too much,” Markus said. “I’m just trying to focus on playoffs, but maybe I’ll think of it a little after the season. It’s pretty cool, but really I’m just looking forward to the playoffs here.
“It’s been a crazy year, start to finish, just a lot of ups and downs along the way for myself personally and the team. So it’s been a great year and hopefully it goes a lot longer here.”
The only part he had thought about was what it means to also have younger twin brother Liam named a finalist for the player of the year award as well.
“It’s pretty cool to have that, honestly without everyone in that room it doesn’t happen,” Markus said. “There’s not one guy who hasn’t helped me and Liam get there. So it’s a special team we have in there and I’m so thankful for them.”
The twin Tigers have continued to tally accolades through their NHL Draft season, Liam playing for Team CHL at the CHL USA prospect challenge. Both Osoyoos, B.C. products played for Team East at the WHL Challenge, setting up the overtime winner.
They both played all 68 games on the Tigers schedule, finishing the season first and second in the CHL in scoring. Markus was first with 21 goals and 108 points, leading all CHLers with 87 assists. Liam was second with 45 goals and 104 points, tied with captain Bryce Pickford, who was also named a finalist for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, for goal scoring in the WHL.
Head coach Willie Desjardins says the Ruck twins have found success through a love of being the best and even more so, possessing high-end talent.
“They love the game, I can’t think of a game where they didn’t put in everything they can, they’re excited about it,” Desjardins said. “They’re exceptional to coach, just how they approach the game and it’s great other people recognize that as well.
“They’re so good with their hand-eye and their sticks, how they read the game, but saying that, they’ve grown a long ways too because of how they work out off the ice and how they take care of themselves. They’re all really focused on being players, so it’s one thing to have talent, it’s another thing on how you use it, and they certainly have used it.”
In the playoffs, as the Tigers start their second-round series with the Calgary Hitmen, the Rucks have continued producing. Markus is third in team scoring with a goal and seven points, Liam eighth with two goals and two assists, scoring the tying goal in Game 5 against Regina.
It’s a strong start to the playoffs, with room to go, Liam says.
“I would like to produce a little more,” Liam said. “I did a pretty good job playing in both ends of the ice last series, and just want to continue doing that.”
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