![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/051226-rucks-predraft-300x222.jpg\")
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<\/a>@ReporterTubb <\/a>\nAfter quite the appetizer for their WHL careers last season, Markus and Liam Ruck put out a full spread in their sophomore year.<\/p>\n
The Medicine Hat Tigers\u2019 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.<\/p>\n
The biggest step this season, according to Liam, was confidence.<\/p>\n
\u201cComing in as young guys, as 16-year-olds, it\u2019s kind of hard to play with confidence and you gain a little bit to being the 17-year-old, that played a big role,\u201d Liam said. \u201cJust coming to the rink every day with great people, that plays a big part of it as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Reflecting on their seasons, Desjardins says the Rucks came in on a high level and continued to stick to who they are.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey are so smart, they understand the game really well, they were top penalty killers for us, they\u2019re great penalty killers,\u201d Desjardins said. \u201cSo probably the defensive side of their game got a little bit better, it\u2019s totally different when you\u2019re playing third line compared to playing first line, where guys go after you. So I thought they did a great job.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking back on it now, the year was unbelievable,\u201d Markus said. \u201cIt\u2019s so sad this time of the year, it\u2019s hard to put in the words, I wish it would have went longer.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter that Game 6 it was really sad, it doesn\u2019t settle in right away right after the buzzer, but you walk into that room and you realize it\u2019s the last time with these boys,\u201d Markus said. \u201cYou 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\u2019t want that feeling again. You just want to win.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u2019s final rankings for North American Skaters, Liam was ranked 20th and Markus 23rd. They\u2019ve taken part in many an interview with scouts, filled out questionaries and waited for this moment for 18 years.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a moment that is starting to become real, Liam says, and he\u2019s even allowed himself to think about what it would mean to be drafted to the same team.<\/p>\n
\u201cAll 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\u2019ll see,\u201d Liam said. \u201cIt should be fun to watch it all play out.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been a goal of ours to get drafted and to be with the same team, it\u2019d be pretty special. It\u2019s what we want, but we\u2019ll see how that all goes.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Markus, he sees the next month as a first look at what the future will hold for himself and Liam.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe draft, that\u2019s going to be really emotional for me,\u201d Markus said. \u201cI\u2019ve dreamed of that my whole life, and for that to come this summer, it\u2019s hard to think about honestly. I can\u2019t really think about how it\u2019s going to feel, but it\u2019s gonna be pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n
They both look forward to the NHL Draft experience and to next season, with the Tigers.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur plan is to come back, I think. We\u2019ll see how that goes and it should be a good group again, and it\u2019s going to be lots of fun,\u201d Liam said.
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