{"id":439455,"date":"2026-01-28T21:26:07","date_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/439455\/"},"modified":"2026-01-28T21:26:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-28T21:26:07","slug":"vancouver-canucks-could-have-a-shot-at-drafting-twins-again-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/439455\/","title":{"rendered":"Vancouver Canucks could have a shot at drafting twins again in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Vancouver Canucks haven\u2019t been this bad in a long time<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But the last time they were this bad, they drafted a pair of franchise-changing twins.<\/p>\n

Could history repeat itself?<\/p>\n

Unbelievably, there\u2019s a chance that it could.<\/p>\n

Not only that, but these twins are B.C.-born and raised.<\/p>\n

While they may not be the second coming of Henrik and Daniel Sedin, twin brothers Marcus and Liam Ruck have been tearing up the WHL for the Medicine Hat Tigers. Under the tutelage of former Canucks coach Willie Desjardins, the brothers lead their team in scoring and are ranked fourth and fifth, respectively, in points among all WHL players.<\/p>\n

THE RUCK TWINS CONNECT FOR A BEAUTIFUL SHORTHANDED GOAL!! \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udc05 pic.twitter.com\/S1VkINKbzX<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Medicine Hat Tigers (@tigershockey) December 31, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Not only that, but they were instrumental in the Tigers going on a 19-game winning streak, which began on Nov. 22 and just ended recently on Jan. 17.<\/p>\n

During that stretch, Liam posted 42 points in 19 games, while his brother Markus registered 41 points over the same stretch.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe do everything together, on and off the ice,\u201d Liam said in a 2024 interview<\/a>. \u201cWe\u2019re competitive off the ice, always trying to beat each other, and on the ice, we push each other, want to make each other better, and make our jobs easier out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

It sounds like perhaps they should continue doing that together in the NHL.<\/p>\n

The Tigers kept the brothers united at the 2023 WHL Draft. After drafting Liam at ninth overall, Medicine Hat then traded up to 21st overall, where they drafted Markus.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been really special to have us together,\u201d Markus said back in 2024. \u201cIt\u2019s always a little bit easier to have my twin with me throughout my whole life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Liam and Markus are what\u2019s known as mirror identical twins, which explains why Markus shoots left while Liam shoots right.<\/p>\n

While Markus has played centre most of his life, the primary playmaker between the brothers also lined up as left wing for the Tigers. The pass-first forward has 12 goals and 65 points in 47 games this season, while his shoot-first brother, Liam, has 28 goals and 66 points in 47 games.<\/p>\n

THE TWINS ARE CAUSING A RUCKUS!!! <\/p>\n

MARKUS RUCK \u27a1\ufe0f LIAM RUCK = \ud83d\udea8\ud83d\udea8@tigershockey<\/a> | #NHLDraft<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Q3fghTOz0V<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Western Hockey League (@TheWHL) January 28, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

So, do the Canucks actually have a shot at drafting them?<\/p>\n

Liam is ranked as the 58th-best prospect in this upcoming draft, according to Elite Prospects\u2019 Consolidated Rankings<\/a>. Markus is currently ranked at 65th.<\/p>\n

In Elite Prospects\u2019 January rankings of the best 75 prospects in the 2026 draft<\/a>, Liam climbed up to 27th, while Markus inched higher as well, up to 56th.<\/p>\n

What a time for the Canucks to possess two first-round picks and two second-round picks for the first time in franchise history.<\/p>\n

If the NHL season were to end today, the Canucks would be guaranteed a top-three pick, while their other first-round pick from the Minnesota Wild currently sits at 30th overall.<\/p>\n

The Canucks then have the 32nd overall pick to kick off the second round, while their second-rounder from the San Jose Sharks is 43rd overall, as of today.<\/p>\n

So, yes, if there\u2019s a team that could draft the Ruck twins this June, the Canucks are well-positioned to do so.<\/p>\n