By JAMES TUBB on May 12, 2026.

Liam and Markus Ruck took the CHL by storm this season, finishing one and two in the country in scoring. Next up for the Osoyoos, B.C. twins is the NHL Draft and a realization of a life-long dream.–NEWS FILE PHOTOjtubb@medicinehatnews.com@ReporterTubb
After quite the appetizer for their WHL careers last season, Markus and Liam Ruck put out a full spread in their sophomore year.

The Medicine Hat Tigers’ twin forwards rose to the occasion in their second year in the orange and black, first and second in CHL scoring and rising up the NHL Draft rankings as highlight-reel plays racked up and the season continued on.

The biggest step this season, according to Liam, was confidence.

“Coming in as young guys, as 16-year-olds, it’s kind of hard to play with confidence and you gain a little bit to being the 17-year-old, that played a big role,” Liam said. “Just coming to the rink every day with great people, that plays a big part of it as well.”

Markus saw improvements on defence from both Rucks, a point of focus head coach Willie Desjardins emphasized with the Osoyoos, B.C. products from the start of the season.

Reflecting on their seasons, Desjardins says the Rucks came in on a high level and continued to stick to who they are.

“They are so smart, they understand the game really well, they were top penalty killers for us, they’re great penalty killers,” Desjardins said. “So probably the defensive side of their game got a little bit better, it’s totally different when you’re playing third line compared to playing first line, where guys go after you. So I thought they did a great job.”

Markus led all CHL skaters with 108 points in 68 games, tallying 21 goals. Liam was right behind with 104 points, also playing 68 games while notching 45 goals to sit tied with Bryce Pickford for goals scored in the WHL.

“Looking back on it now, the year was unbelievable,” Markus said. “It’s so sad this time of the year, it’s hard to put in the words, I wish it would have went longer.”

In the playoffs, Markus had four goals and 13 points in 15 games, Liam had eight goals and 12 points in 14 games, both outpacing their numbers from the previous run.

Last year, despite losing in the Memorial Cup final a few weeks after capturing a WHL championship, the rookie year ended on a high note. This season, losing in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals to the Prince Albert Raiders, the lesson of pain took over the chalkboard and will be irremovable for years to come.

“After that Game 6 it was really sad, it doesn’t settle in right away right after the buzzer, but you walk into that room and you realize it’s the last time with these boys,” Markus said. “You think back to all the memories you had all year with them, all the fun you had, all the laughs, and you think about that. You don’t want that feeling again. You just want to win.”

With the season over, the focus for the Ruck twins shifts to the NHL Draft and the realization of a life-long dream. On NHL Central Scouting’s final rankings for North American Skaters, Liam was ranked 20th and Markus 23rd. They’ve taken part in many an interview with scouts, filled out questionaries and waited for this moment for 18 years.

The pair will participate in the NHL Draft Combine June 1-6 in Buffalo, the same place the NHL Draft will be held at the end of June.

It’s a moment that is starting to become real, Liam says, and he’s even allowed himself to think about what it would mean to be drafted to the same team.

“All the on-ice stuff is done now, so just lean back a little bit and kind of take it easy, and however it plays out, we’ll see,” Liam said. “It should be fun to watch it all play out.

“It’s been a goal of ours to get drafted and to be with the same team, it’d be pretty special. It’s what we want, but we’ll see how that all goes.”

For Markus, he sees the next month as a first look at what the future will hold for himself and Liam.

“The draft, that’s going to be really emotional for me,” Markus said. “I’ve dreamed of that my whole life, and for that to come this summer, it’s hard to think about honestly. I can’t really think about how it’s going to feel, but it’s gonna be pretty special.”

They both look forward to the NHL Draft experience and to next season, with the Tigers.

“Our plan is to come back, I think. We’ll see how that goes and it should be a good group again, and it’s going to be lots of fun,” Liam said.
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