![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/041126-tigers-rucks-seasons-300x205.jpg\")
NEWS PHOTO James Tubb\nMedicine 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<\/a>@ReporterTubb <\/a>
\nMarkus Ruck, the CHL\u2019s leading scorer in 2025-26, wasn\u2019t expecting to get a finalists nod for the WHL\u2019s player of the year award.
\nThe 18-year-old Medicine Hat Tigers forward hadn\u2019t considered being nominated for the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, nor has he reflected on his seismic sophomore season step.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s been pretty special, but I don\u2019t think about it too much,\u201d Markus said. \u201cI\u2019m just trying to focus on playoffs, but maybe I\u2019ll think of it a little after the season. It\u2019s pretty cool, but really I\u2019m just looking forward to the playoffs here.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s 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\u2019s been a great year and hopefully it goes a lot longer here.\u201d
\nThe 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.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s pretty cool to have that, honestly without everyone in that room it doesn\u2019t happen,\u201d Markus said. \u201cThere\u2019s not one guy who hasn\u2019t helped me and Liam get there. So it\u2019s a special team we have in there and I\u2019m so thankful for them.\u201d
\nThe 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.
\nThey 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.
\nHead 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.
\n\u201cThey love the game, I can\u2019t think of a game where they didn\u2019t put in everything they can, they\u2019re excited about it,\u201d Desjardins said. \u201cThey\u2019re exceptional to coach, just how they approach the game and it\u2019s great other people recognize that as well.
\n\u201cThey\u2019re so good with their hand-eye and their sticks, how they read the game, but saying that, they\u2019ve grown a long ways too because of how they work out off the ice and how they take care of themselves. They\u2019re all really focused on being players, so it\u2019s one thing to have talent, it\u2019s another thing on how you use it, and they certainly have used it.\u201d
\nIn 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.
\nIt\u2019s a strong start to the playoffs, with room to go, Liam says.
\n\u201cI would like to produce a little more,\u201d Liam said. \u201cI did a pretty good job playing in both ends of the ice last series, and just want to continue doing that.\u201d
\n16
-15\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t